WORD Processing

Sorry if I filled your inbox

2010-08-30T15:21:00.002-05:00

I was doing some work on this blog and it appears I may have published a whole bunch of old blogs. I hope I didn't - I'm not real savvy with this thing. But, if I did, you have my apologies for filling the inbox of anyone who follows this. Fortunately, its not that many folks.

Significant Servants, October 25, 2009 "Christian Insanity"

2009-11-14T01:20:00.004-06:00

Ever heard this one? “The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result.” The quote has been attributed to both Benjamin Franklin and Albert Einstein, but may have actually been coined by a Minnesota Vikings football coach in 1991. Whatever the source, the quote has proliferated wildly in corporate culture and has found its way into the church growth movement. If we want to reverse the current stagnation of Christianity and the decline of so many churches, we must embrace new ways, new methods and new strategies. We cannot keep doing the same things that we have been doing all these years and expect them to magically start working now.

And, of course, there is some truth to that. I have known pastors and church leaders who are hopelessly stuck in the 1950’s church mindset and will not leave that behind. They think that a true church has to look like the church I grew up in. We need to sing the songs we sang back then (in the same style we sang them – no drums or guitars, please). They think we need to wear ties and coats like we did then and structure Sunday School the old-school way. If “revivals” worked then, surely they will work today. Church growth? Get out and knock on doors like we did when I was young.

The Danger of Pragmatism

But there is also danger in the pragmatic mindset that has come to dominate our thinking. There are times in which we must continue doing what is right even if the lost world does not like it. What pragmatists often fail to understand is that the world hates the truth (as Jesus promised) and rejects it. We can modernize our methods and try to make our churches less imposing to visitors, but we cannot make our message more palatable without compromising the hard truth of the gospel. When we become pragmatists, when we judge our methods by the bottom line of church growth, we run the risk of compromising our gospel integrity.

It would be well for us to heed the warning of the prophecy of 2 Timothy 4:3-4, a prophecy that has certainly come true in our day. “For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths.”

A time is coming, Paul said, in which the sound teachings of God’s Word will not be well-received by people, even, it is implied, people in the visible church. Instead of listening to the hard teachings of Scripture and adjusting their lives to God’s will, these people will seek out teachers and preachers who will tell them exactly what they want to hear, who will affirm their passions and desires instead of confronting them. These people will turn away from God’s hard truths and will embrace spiritual myths. It is clear to me that this is happening today.

And that is a problem for pragmatists. If people do not want to hear the truth, do we continue preaching it? If people are prone to reject the truth, will preaching the unvarnished truth make a church grow? If the church does not grow from preaching the truth should we adjust the message? Should we soft-peddle sin and shield people from the realities of God’s judgment and death and hell?

Doing the Same Thing Over and Over

I find it both interesting and amazing how often human ideas conflict with God’s will and ways. It is a given in this world that we should not continue to do the same thing over and over again if it is not working. Yet, in the Bible, it is often by continuing to do the same thing over and over again, even when it is not working, that great victories come. Is it possible that continuing in God’s ways even when they are not working is not insanity, but a key to spiritual victory?

A few years back, we decided to put a shower in our basement bathroom. I got a sledge hammer and went to work. I swung with all my might (insert your joke here) and hit the floor. Nothing. Again. Nothing. Time after time I hit the floor and nothing happened except a ringing in my hands and ears. Then, after many strokes of sledge hammer, a small crack appeared. As I continued, it grew. Finally, I broke through to the ground underneath. Not a subtle illustration, is it? Had I swung the hammer 25 times and given up, the hole would never have opened. I could have said, “It is insanity to keep doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.” Or, I could keep swinging the hammer until the hole opened.

The Tragedy of Giving Up

I am amazed at how prone God’s people are to giving up. I have watched excited, impassioned believers embark on a new ministry in the name of the Savior, convinced that they are answering the call of God. He (or she) has yielded to the eternal purposes of God and submitted his life to the plan that God has set for him. He is walking in obedience, even perhaps the costly and risky obedience that we have discussed.

Then, something goes wrong. Someone criticizes what he is doing. Some detail or the other does not work out as he had expected. There are no immediate results or the response is disappointing. Perhaps, opposition arises inside the church or from the outside. And this significant servant, determined to do the will of God, just gives up. “I must not have heard God correctly.” After all, if God was really in it, all the details would work out, right? “I don’t have to put up with that.” Like the little boy who did not get his way on the playground, he takes his marble and just goes home.

And that brings us to our next step in the process of becoming a significant servant of the Living God. We have been examining the great works of God in both the Old Testament and the New, looking at the elements that are common to each of these works. From that study, we have set forward five keys to becoming a significant servant. As we look at the fourth of these key steps, let’s review the first three. Significant service begins with yielding to the eternal purposes of God for your life. God is always working to glorify himself by redeeming sinners for Himself and transforming them to be like Christ. If we want to be significant, those purposes must become the driving force of our lives. Then, we must identify and submit to the plans of God for our lives, both the general plans that he has for all believers and the specific ones he reveals to each of us. Then, we must develop the first ERQ of significance.

ERQ – that stands for Essential, Reproducible Quality. As I studied the great acts of God, I saw what I believe are two qualities of God’s servants that we need to be significant. They are essential in that they are required by God for significant service. They are reproducible in that they are qualities that God can produce in any person. Each of us can develop these qualities; they are not unique to talented or charismatic folks.

The first ERQ is obedience. God’s people must do exactly what he commands. We must do what he says no matter what the cost or risk to our lives, our dreams or our plans. God’s plans and ways are seldom easy. There is a second ERQ, just as important as the first. In fact, the first ERQ, obedience, usually produces little or no fruit unless it is accompanied by the second. What is that second ERQ? Let us wander through some of these stories and see if we can identify it.

The Second ERQ

Think for a moment of the life of Noah. God gave him a job to do; it was no small job. God revealed his purpose to Noah. He was planning to judge the world for its wickedness by bringing a flood. He revealed his plan to Noah. Noah was to build a boat that would hold him, his family and th animals that would repopulate the world. And Noah obeyed God. He started building the boat. Remember, there were no Lowe’s or Home Depot stores to order the lumber. He had to cut every tree and shape every board. And day by day that is exactly what he did. We know that Noah was 500 when his first son was born, and 600 when the Flood came. How many years did he build the ark? We do not know. But it was a long time. Day after day, week after week, month after month, year after year he continued to build this monstrous boat in his back yard.

Can you imagine what the neighbors said? He was surrounded by wild, wicked folks and I can only imagine that they were none too kind to boat-building Noah. Noah may have explained that he had a reason, that the boat was going to save him when the rains came. But day after day, week after week, month after month, year after year it did not rain. The only rain that fell was the insults of the sinners around him.

How long do you keep on doing what you believe God told you to do when what God said would happen has not happened yet? How long? Until the rains come! Noah kept building until the boat was done. Then the rains came. God did what he said!

Consider Abraham. When he was 75 years old, having never been able to sire a child, he was told that he would be the father of many nations; one nation of particular import. The nation that would spring from his loins would be granted possession of the Promised Land, eternal Seed, and the blessings of God.

Then, God waited. Abraham turned 80, then 85, then 90, and no baby came. In the middle of all this, someone got hold of him and convinced him that he could not continue doing the same thing over and over and expect different results. So they concocted a plan to use Sarah’s handmaiden to bear a son for him. It was a bad idea; one that has cost his descendents untold suffering for 3000 years. But still, God waited. Nothing changed. Sarah still had no children.

How long do you wait for the promises of God to come true? How long? Until the promises come true. God does not measure time as we do. In his time, when Abraham was 100 and Sarah was 90, the baby came. God fulfilled his promise.

Think of Joseph. At age 17, God gave him a dream; that he would be a ruler, even over his own family. Strangely, when he shared that vision with his brother, they did not appreciate it. And things went downhill from there. His brothers betrayed him, then sold him into slavery in Egypt. Can you imagine the pain of being betrayed by your own family? So, what did Joseph do? He became the best slave that Potiphar had. How was he rewarded? He was falsely accused of molesting Potiphar’s wife and thrown in an Egyptian dungeon. How did he respond? He became the most faithful and diligent prisoner in the dungeon. Then, forgotten by the cupbearer who promised to get him released, he kept serving God and others in the prison.

How long do you have to keep doing the right thing when everyone around you is doing the wrong thing? How long do you have to keep holding on to the plans that God has shown you? How long? As long as it takes – until the day that God reveals his faithfulness. One day, God gave Joseph what he had promised. Joseph awakened a prisoner in the dungeon one day, then went to bed that night as the second most powerful man in the world.

There is so much to remember about Moses. God sent him to Egypt to demand that the people of God be released. He did exactly what God said. “Let my people go,” he told Pharaoh. But Pharaoh did not respond positively. He punished Israel with extra work for Moses’ temerity. Moses was not a popular man. His approval ratings hovered near zero. He wanted to quit and go home. But God had a strange command. Didn’t God know that doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result is insanity? That is exactly what God said. Go back to Pharaoh. Again and again and again. Finally, Pharaoh let them go and Israel headed for freedom. But again he changed his mind. And there was Israel, backs to the Red Sea, cornered by mountains with the armies of Pharaoh descending on them. God’s people did the only thing they knew how to do. They complained to Moses.

So, how long to you keep on serving God when everyone hates you? How long do you continue with little support and lots of criticism? How long do you keep obeying God when the armies of the enemy are bearing down on you and the Red Sea blocks your path? How long? Until the Red Sea parts and you go through in the power of God.

Its perseverance, folks! That is the second ERQ of significant servants. They not only obey God, but they keep doing it when it gets hard. David was anointed king, then spent years fleeing from crazy King Saul. But he kept going until God fulfilled his promise. Joshua kept leading the people around the city until the walls fell. Thirteen time, even though nothing had happened on the twelfth time. Time and time again you see this pattern. God gives someone a job to do. They do it. Then it gets hard. Then the opposition comes. Then time goes by. But they just keep doing what God told them to do. They do it over and over again until the battle is won, until the victory comes.

Every great victory in the kingdom comes when a man or woman of God is obedient to God’s purposes and plans, and keeps on doing it when it gets hard.

Perspectives on Perseverance

There are some false preachers and teachers among us who proclaim a prosperity gospel – guaranteeing that faith will bring us health, wealth and anything that will make us happy here on earth. But even among orthodox, biblical Christians there is an attitude of false expectation. We seem to think that if we do what God wants us to do, everything will work out for us.

One of my greatest times of discouragement in my ministry came after a time of great revival in my life and in my church in Cedar Rapids. I had a subtle expectation that because of my own walk with Christ and the things that were going on at the church, I had a right to expect that people would support me, that things would go well at the church and that I would be spared from opposition and hardship. Then, the hammer fell. One crisis after another hit me and the church. And I got mad at life; mad at God. I felt as if God had let me down and failed in his promises.

Then, I began this study. As I looked at what made the great men and women of the Bible significant, I began to realize that my problem was not God’s unfaithfulness, but my own false expectations. I misunderstood the clear teachings of scriptures about living godly lives in this world. John 16:33 is a promise from our Lord. “In this world you will have tribulation.” This is not a world of ease or comfort. It is a hostile world which hated Christ and will hate those who stand for him. He guaranteed that life would always be a battle. But he also told us to be of good cheer. He had “overcome the world.”

Simply put, life in this world will be a battle against our own fleshly impulses, against the mindset of this world which is dominated by the lies of Satan, and against the forces of darkness at work in this world. It is a battle we will have to fight every day. But it is a battle that can be won. As we persevere in obedience, we can overcome the world as Christ did.

We have to understand that obedience to God and to his purposes and plans for our lives is no guarantee that everything will work out for us. As a matter of fact, the Bible is clear that you can walk in complete obedience to Christ and things can still go horribly wrong for you. Things did not work out for Moses when he obeyed God and went into Egypt – not at first. David served God and still had Saul seeking his life. Read Paul’s account of his ministry in 2 Corinthians 11. Serving Christ was no picnic for him.

If things are falling apart in your life, it is wise to do a spiritual inventory to see if you have done something to invoke the discipline of God. God corrects his children, and often uses the hardships of life to do so. But please hear this – you can be walking in complete obedience to Jesus Christ and still watch your life fall apart. It happened in the days of the Bible and it can happen to you. That does not mean that God has abandoned you or forgotten you. It just means you need to persevere and continue in the faith.

Who is the biggest liar you know? Permit me to tell you of the biggest liars in your life, ones you may or may not even know about. Two big, fat liars constantly try to convince you that God’s promises will fail and he will let you down. First, circumstances in this world will tell you that God’s Word just cannot be true. Abraham’s circumstances screamed that he must forget the pipe dream of being the father of many nations. It was impossible. How could marching around Jericho lead to victory? Should Gideon have trusted his little army of 300 against the powerful Midianites?

In Cedar Rapids, we approached the process of building a much-needed new building carefully and prayerfully. Finally, after a long time and much prayer, we were confident that God was leading us to build. We voted to do so and proceeded in the process. Between the time we voted to build and the time the building was done, God chose to remove six or seven of our pillar families from the church. It seemed like every week another key family was coming to me and telling me that God had led them to Alabama or North Carolina or somewhere else very far away. Had we known that they would be moving, we probably would not have built the building. Circumstances told us that we should not have done what we did. Circumstances were lying to us.

There is another liar, perhaps more blatant than your circumstances – your emotions. Your feelings will tell you that God has forgotten you or abandoned you, even though he promised he would not. You will panic, lose heart, or grow fearful. Unless we are walking in the fullness of the Holy Spirit, our emotions tend to be fed by the flesh. But significant servants do not listen to the whisperings of despair, fear, anger or hurt. They listen to the Word of God – with single-minded intent. They purposely refuse to let their emotions convince them that God has failed. That was my problem in the time of discouragement I mentioned above. I listened to my emotions instead of the truth of God’s Word.

But when you obey God, when you continue to obey him after things get hard, when your life falls apart but you continue to hold on to the hope of his promise, when you ignore the quiet deception of your own emotions to listen to God’s Word and continue in faith and obedience, God will work his mighty works through you.

Every great work of God in the Bible was the product of obedience accompanied by perseverance. When hardships discouraged people, they continued in obedience. When the passage of time disheartened them, they held on to the promise of God in faith. And when opposition arose and withered their courage, they kept plodding along day by day until God released his power.

So, “insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results”? Really? If what you are doing over and over again is the command of God, if you are obeying God and persevering in his promise, then it is not insanity, it is the path to significant service.

Jonathan Edwards was in the pastor of a church in Northampton, Massachusetts in the early 1700’s. He labored faithfully and preached God’s Word for 17 years with no visible effect, no response from the people. Can you imagine what would happen to a pastor who had not a single convert after 17 years of ministry, whose church had not grown or seen the power of God revealed? We would tell him that it was insanity to keep doing the same thing over and over again and expect a different result. We would tell him to get some new methods or go to a new place.

But Jonathan Edwards kept preaching until revival fell. One day, a young man was killed in a farming accident. A young lady, one described by Edwards in less than flattering terms, suddenly came under the conviction of sin and was gloriously converted. Others, seeing the change in her life, also began to come under conviction. This revival was so sweeping that after a couple of years, Edwards said that everyone in Northampton had been converted. The revival spread throughout the colonies and is known in history as the First Great Awakening.

God is responsible for revivals, but he uses human beings in the process. And the First Great Awakening came, on human terms, because of one insane man who kept doing the same thing over and over again until God brought a different result.

If you have died to self and are walking in the eternal purposes of God, if you have discerned the plans of God for your life and are obeying him, then continue doing the same thing God told you to do, over and over again, until the power of God falls on you!

Conclusion

Again, I am not arguing for the kind of knee-jerk traditionalism that stifles so many churches. Healthy Christians grow in Christ. Healthy churches grow. The nature of growth is change. The very nature of Christianity is leaving behind the life we had to embrace a new life lived under Christ’s Lordship for God’s eternal purposes. But when God has spoken, his people must continue doing what he has said. We must continue to preach an accurate gospel even if the world wants their ears tickled. We must continue to proclaim God’s holiness even if people want a different God, one who has no standards. We must continue to obey God no matter how difficult it is, no matter how many enemies come against us, regardless of the challenges or discouragements that come our way. We obey God and we keep on obeying God until the harvest comes, until God opens the door for our significant service to him.

Fighting Fire with Diplomacy!

2009-11-10T22:41:00.000-06:00

Thought you might be interested in this credible news report.

Obama To Enter Diplomatic Talks With Raging Wildfire

(Be careful - ONN has some links that are not appropriate)

Significant Servant, October 4, 2009 Essential Reproducble Quality 1

2009-10-19T20:12:00.001-05:00

I was witness to an interesting conversation some years ago. My father, a Southern Baptist pastor and missionary for half a century was debating a pastor from a small Eastern denomination about how pastors were selected. Baptist churches are in charge of their own pastoral selection, using pulpit committees to sort resumes, ask questions and select a pastor to recommend to the local church. In the other pastor’s denomination, the local denominational representative selected and appointed the pastors and the local church had very little say in the matter. It was an interesting debate. My dad maintained that no system could be less effective than the Baptist system. The other pastor disagreed. He maintained that the power politics inherent in his system had to be worse than the independent system of Baptist churches.

Selecting pastors and church leaders is not an easy task. How often has a church voted with enthusiasm to extend a call to a new man, embracing him with excitement, only to develop a severe case of buyer’s remorse within the next year or two? I spent a year and a half as First Vice President and two and a half years as President of the Baptist Convention of Iowa. We had many discussions about the difficulty of attracting and holding on to qualified, capable and faithful pastors for our churches. When we found the right man for the right job, things seemed to click and some successful churches have been planted. But way too often we found square pegs to fit round holes and after one Iowa winter the pastor headed back to the south.

I know of a church in Florida that was thriving and growing, until the pastor that had led that growth resigned to pursue different ministries. The people of the church were thrilled when one of the luminaries of our denomination recommended the “perfect” man for the church. And he was an amazing candidate – good looking, impressive, gifted speaker, charismatic personality and presence. Actually, he had a lot of the same character qualities as Saul, the first king of Israel. What no one knew was that behind the impressive exterior was a heart of immorality and greed. It took him only 7 years to reduce that once thriving church to about fifty people. The candidate’s promise morphed into a pastoral nightmare.

Many who are involved in Christian organizations will tell you that finding qualified leadership is their most challenging task. Who of us does not know of a church or Christian organization that has had serious problems because of the actions of or conflicts with a leader?

So, that makes this question essential: what does it take to be an effective leader in the Kingdom of God? Or, perhaps more fundamentally, what is required of me to become an effective, significant servant of God?

We have studied the first two steps in this process. To become significant in God’s Kingdom, we must die to self and yield ourselves to the eternal purposes of God. We must then seek the specific and personal plan that God has for our lives. These are revealed by God as we submit ourselves unreservedly to him. God reveals his purposes. God reveals his plans. But is there anything that I have to do? Is anything required of me to become significant?

. On October 1, 2000, I began the longest sermon series of my life on Sunday nights at Northbrook Baptist Church. It was called, “Through the Bible, Hopefully before Jesus Returns.” We started in Genesis and worked our way book by book through the Old Testament. On August 14, 2005, the last Sunday night I preached at Northbrook, I finished the Old Testament. It was the study that formed the basis of what I am teaching in this series.

As I began the series, I was in at a point of frustration with my own ministry. I read the scriptures and saw God working in power throughout them. But I looked at my life, my church and the churches around me and felt as though there was little of that power being revealed today. So, as I studied Noah, Abraham, Joseph, Moses, Joshua, Samuel, David and so many others, I asked myself what made them tick. What made these people successful in Kingdom work? I began to notice a trend, a pattern in the way God worked.

One thing became clear to me. These men would never have been selected by leadership experts as models of efficiency or administrative efficacy. Most were not impressive in human terms. We value talent, charisma, or force of personality, creative problem-solving and innovative strategy. These were the abilities that got King Saul in trouble. He was everything we value today in a leader. In God’s eyes, he failed.

Human abilities do not produce Kingdom success. God saves us by grace, not our own merit, and He chooses and uses leaders by that same grace. It is not our merit, or talent, or ability that matters, but the power of God within us. God chose ordinary people – people just like you and me – to do his work. God is not a talent scout, looking for the best, the brightest, orthe beautiful to accomplish his kingdom work.

Look at 1 Corinthians 1:26-31. “For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God. And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, so that, as it is written, ‘Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.’"

In case you were wondering, this passage is not a compliment to you or me. God does not choose the human intelligentsia to accomplish his work. He chooses the foolish ones to proclaim his wisdom. God does not choose the strong and mighty to advance the borders of his kingdom. He chooses the weak. His power is make perfect in our weakness. He does not choose the influential, powerful and popular. He chooses the lowly people, those the world treats as if they do not even exist. And with these foolish, weak, lowly folks, God by his own power and grace confounds the wise, defeats the strong and nullifies the powerful.

He makes his purpose clear in verse 29. “So that no human being might boast in the presence of God.” God delights to take people whom the world views as ordinary and lacking in ability and pour out His power on them. He does extraordinary works through ordinary people, for one very clear reason. He wants the credit and the glory. Those with great talent and ability may believe that they should receive some of the glory. God will not share his glory and chooses to work primarily through those the world rejects and scorns.

Are you average? Ordinary? Just a normal person? No one special? Congratulations! You are a prime candidate for the powerful work of God. Are you massively talented and gifted? Do not worry. God can still use you, if you humble yourself. Notice that the passage says “not many.” Talented and gifted people can serve God. But God is not a talent scout or a leadership guru. He does not need your talents and does not rely on your wisdom and insight. He is a powerful God who works through ordinary people to do extraordinary things so that he will receive the glory. He wants fools who know they cannot figure things out on their own and will look to him for wisdom. He wants weak people, who will depend on him for strength. He wants the lowly, who will give him all the glory for the work that is done. He wants the “things that are not,” – the people who just don’t matter in the eyes of other people – for significant service to him.

Essential Reproducible Qualities

As I marched through the Old Testament, looking at the significant servants who accomplished great acts of power in God’s name, I began to identify two “ERQs” – Essential, Reproducible Qualities. These are character qualities and behavior patterns that marked God’s most significant servants. They are “essential” qualities. If they were present, the person accomplished significant work. If they were not present, nothing of spiritual or eternal significance was accomplished. God requires these qualities to be present when he uses someone for his purposes.

And the qualities had to be “reproducible.” If God said, “I will use redheads to accomplish my work,” I am out of luck. Unless I get some help from Clairol, I am not nor will I ever be red-haired. If God only used tall people, my 6’4” frame might qualify me. But what good would it do to identify these things? They are not reproducible qualities. You are either tall or not, red-haired or not.

But the qualities I will be describing, one here and one in the next message, are both essential and reproducible. You will never be significant unless you possess these characteristics – they are essential. But you can possess them – they are reproducible in your life. Whether you sing or not, you can have these ERQs. Whether you are tall or short, charismatic or dull, good looking or not, these essential, reproducible qualities can become part of your life so that you will become a significant servant of God. The God who worked through the great men and women of history can work through you.

Essential Reproducible Quality 1: Obedience

Let us look at some of the earliest acts of God and see how the pattern developed. God spoke to Noah and revealed his purpose to him. God was going to judge the world with a flood. He also revealed his plan. Noah was to build a boat. What happened next? Noah took the plans that God gave him and began to build the ark. He obeyed God.

God revealed his purpose to Abraham, that he would be the father of a great nation through which God would bless the world. He also revealed the plan he had for Abraham. He was to leave home and go to the Promised Land, the land God would show him. What happened next? Abraham left home and headed toward Canaan. He obeyed God.

When God revealed his purpose to Moses (to redeem Israel) and his plan (to send Moses as his representative), Moses was flabbergasted. In Exodus 3 and 4, Moses offers five powerful excuses why God must have chosen the wrong man. It is interesting how often the men God chose tried to argue that they were not right for the job; that the job was beyond them. They were right. The job was beyond them, but wholly within the power of Almighty God. But, once Moses’ questions were answered, we see what he did next. He packed up and headed by to Egypt. He obeyed God.

Both Moses and Solomon were called to be a part of God’s purpose to provide a place of worship and sacrifice for the people of God. Not only were they called to the purpose of God, but they were also given detailed plans on the building process. Read the later chapters of Exodus, especially chapters 39 and 40. Watch how often it says that Moses did everything exactly as the Lord has told him. When the process was done, the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. Solomon built the temple according to the plans God had given and the same glory filled that temple. Those who wish their lives to be marked by the power and glory of God would do well to do just as they did – to walk in complete obedience to God. In the divine system, obedience precedes the experience of glory.

This is not an isolated pattern. Joshua was told to march around Jericho thirteen times in seven days. He obeyed and the walls fell. Gideon had a horribly mismatched army before God reduced it first to 10,000, then to 300. When God told him to take these 300 soldiers on a suicide mission against the Midianites, he did as he was told and won one of history’s most amazing victories. Mary was told she would be the mother of the Son of God. Her response is classic. “May it be to me as you have said.”

From the beginning of time to today, the first essential, reproducible quality any servant of God can have is obedience. In fact, it is the chief American religious conceit that we can experience the blessing, presence and power of God without submitting our lives in obedience to him. We have reduced the love of God to a lack of standards, acting as if God were a spineless wimp. He is not. Those who would experience his presence and power, who would be significant in his service, must yield their lives in obedience to him.

A young couple came into my office, asking me to perform their wedding. They were living together and I confronted them about their sin. They were living contrary to God’s revealed will and yet expected me as a pastor to stand before a group of people and declare the blessing of God on their lives. They left my office angry at me. They simply could not see the idea that God would expect them to control their desires or to obey his laws. They assumed they could seek his blessings regardless of their lifestyle. They are, I am afraid, typical Americans. But it is a clear and uncontroverted pattern in scripture. Those who experienced the power and presence of God first submitted their lives to God’s purposes and plans. They obeyed God.

Significant servants obey God.

Obedience is Costly and Difficult

I am amazed at the expectations that many Christians have exhibited. We expect that if we obey God, there is some kind of guarantee that everything will work out fine. We seem to believe that obedience is our means of avoiding hardship, hurt and pain. This is simply not true. In fact, in the Bible, obedience was costly and difficult. God called people to acts of obedience that were difficult; that cost them all they had.

Look at Genesis 22:1-3. “After these things God tested Abraham and said to him, ‘Abraham!’ And he said, ‘Here am I.’ He said, ‘Take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you.’ So Abraham rose early in the morning, saddled his donkey, and took two of his young men with him, and his son Isaac. And he cut the wood for the burnt offering and arose and went to the place of which God had told him.’

God is clear about what is at stake here. He identifies Abraham’s son, his “only son Isaac, whom you love” as the target of the test. Whom did Abraham love more, God or the gift God gave him? Would Abraham obey God even at the cost of his son?

We often assume that Jesus did not mean some of the things he said. Luke 14:26 says, “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple.” That is a simple and straightforward statement, but it is also shocking. If you want to be Jesus’ disciple, you must hate your family and even your own life. It is so radical we assume Jesus did not mean it. He did. “Hate” is not an emotional term here. It is an action word. To hate someone is to choose someone else over them. Jesus is telling us that we must choose him first over family, friends or anything else in this whole world.

Abraham had a chance to apply this principle. God told him to take his only son to Mt. Moriah and to sacrifice him there. Genesis 22:3 is one of the most amazing verses in the Bible. “So Abraham rose early in the morning, saddled his donkey, and took two of his young men with him, and his son Isaac.” It was a costly decision for Abraham, but he did not struggle. Early the next morning he set out to do the very difficult, unbelievably costly thing God told him to do. And God intervened.

Our obedience can be costly. God does not intervene in our lives to help us be more successful in the lives we had. He calls us to lay down those lives, to leave them behind to follow him. Jesus came to his disciples and called them to leave their fisherman’s nets behind and follow him. Every time someone decided to follow Jesus, they had to leave their lives behind to do it.

Sometimes, when we lay down our lives, those things are gone. Perhaps God will call you to give up a successful career or put your talents on hold. I know a successful surgeon who heard the call of God to leave his practice to serve as a missionary. Often, God gives us back what we have given up; sanctified and ready to be used in his service. But when we come to him, it is as living sacrifices – all on the altar.

When I was a young preacher, I was willing to go anywhere God wanted me to go, as long as it was in the United States. I just was not willing to go oversees as a missionary. Then, in 1984, I went to Honduras on a mission trip. In 1988, I went to Honduras in the spring and Tanzania, Africa in the fall. During this time, my heart began to change about missionary service. The next summer, at a camp, I sensed a call to mission service and Jenni and I applied to become missionaries. I had given up the United States to serve the Lord. Then one day we got a letter in the mail telling us that because of a medical problem in one of our children. I have spent my life serving American churches. But I could not serve God in America until I was willing to serve him anywhere.

Our obedience to God is costly, but it brings the great blessing of God.

Obedience is Risky

When is the last time you did something risky in obedience to God? I’m not talking about jumping out of airplanes or driving at high speeds. I’m talking about putting your life on the line in such a way that if God does not act, we will die or suffer great shame and humiliation. No, some would say. God would never ask us to do something foolish like that. Really? God sent Moses into Egypt to face Pharaoh. If God does not act, Moses would die. David went up against Goliath, hopelessly mismatched. If God did not walk into battle with him, David would die. Joshua’s plan against Jericho could only succeed if God released his power. Time and again, God sent his people into battle against overwhelming odds and overpowering foes with only the promise of his presence. But when they went into battle, obedient to Almighty God, they were victorious regardless of the odds.

In 2003, a terrorist exploded a bomb in the Davao City airport in Mindanao Island in the Philippines, killing a friend of mine named Bill Hyde. I was asked to take part in his funeral, along with Dr. Jerry Rankin, President of our International Mission Board. He called me a couple of days before the funeral to talk over the service. When I was an missionary kid in Taiwan, I lived in safety. Dr. Rankin told me that this is a dangerous world for missionaries. I received a call from Fox News and was on Great Van Susteren’s show “On the Record.” She asked, with some amazement, why we would continue sending people into places where their lives were at risk. I think she thought it irresponsible. But I told her that we had a job to do, a commission to obey. I told her that Bill was more committed to the service of the Lord than to his own safety. Bill had a life of significant service to God and even his death was a great testimony to the work of Christ, because he obeyed God even at great personal risk.

Step in the River

There is a story in the book of Joshua that explains why we do not see the power of God. Israel came to the Jordan River when it was at flood stage. In Joshua 3:13, God told Joshua to have men carry the Ark of the Covenant and stand in the River. This was a foolish, risky act. When they stepped into the river, the water would stop flowing and the people would go through on dry ground. Note the sequence there. The men carrying the Ark had to step in the river first, then it stopped. Had they stood on the shore waiting for the flow to stop, they would not have gone across. Imagine being one of the men holding the pole that carried the Ark. You have to take that step of extreme faith and obedience into the river knowing that if God does not do as he said, you will drown. But those men stepped in the river and the power of God was released.

We stand at the river telling God that as soon as he stops its flow, we will walk through in faith. He says that we must step in. We are called to risky obedience, to act in ways that all we have is on the line. We want to walk by sight, but we must learn to walk by faith; by an obedient, costly, risky faith.

As I studied through the Old Testament, I began to see what made someone a significant service. Few of these were men of natural talent or ability. They were not charismatic personalities. But they did share an essential, reproducible quality. It was pretty simple. They went where God told them to go. They did what God told them to do. They said what God told them to say. And God worked his power through them.

It does not take amazing talent to serve God. You do not have to be creative or charismatic. Just seek God until you know his will – and do it. Go where he wants you to go; do what he tells you to do; and say what he tells you to say.

It is helpful to know the Lord’s Prayer. It was given to the disciples as a model for our prayers. And it is good to study Jesus’ prayer in John 17, in which he poured out his heart to the Father the night before he died. But I would suggest a five word prayer that would set us on the path to significant service to God.

“Lord, whatever, whenever, wherever. Amen.”

A Question about Race in America

2009-10-15T00:23:00.000-05:00

I just read an AP article (http://news.aol.com/article/edwin-chandler-cleared-in-slaying/716286?icid=main|main|dl1|link3|http://news.aol.com/article/edwin-chandler-cleared-in-slaying/716286) on AOL about Edwin Chandler who was exonerated on a 1993 murder after spending 9 years in jail. New evidence proved him to be innocent.

I am a conservative, law-and-order man. I love America and respect our law enforcement system.

But, here is my question: When is the last time you saw an article like this and the person it was about WASN'T black?

How many Edwin Chandlers are there out there in jail and the only crime they are really guilty of is having dark skin (or at least a primary contributing factor)?

I don't know the answer to that. But I do know that every time I read a story about someone being proven innocent after 10 or 15 years in jail, that man is black!

That cannot be a coincidence!

Significiant Servants September 20&27, 2009 "God's Wonderful Plan for Your Life"

2009-10-07T13:03:00.002-05:00

(NOTE: This is a compilation of my sermons from 9/20 and 9/27. Basically, it was a do-over. I did not find I liked the way I had approached things on the 20th, so I pushed the reboot button. This lengthy message is those two sermons combined, edited and even expanded).

God loves you and has a wonderful plan for your life. That is the famous opening line of perhaps the most-used evangelistic tract in history, the “Four Spiritual Laws.” A whole generation of Christian witnessing efforts has been based on this evangelistic strategy. It has also been criticized as too man-centered, too focused on the personal benefits of salvation, not serious enough about sin and lacking in a treatment of the Lordship of Christ.

The cartoon above encapsulates those criticisms. It depicts Christians in the Roman Coliseum, awaiting a martyr’s death at the jaws of a lion. The caption sarcastically promises them that God loves them and has a wonderful plan for their lives. It is hard for American Christians to realize the suffering that our brothers and sisters have experienced through the years and, in fact, are now experiencing around the globe. On August 3, 2009, The New York Times carried a chilling story of a family of seven Pakistani Christians brutally murdered by a Muslim extremist group. They died for no other reason than the fact that they were followers of Jesus Christ. Did God not have a wonderful plan for their lives?

But I am here today to affirm that God does love us and does have a wonderful plan for our lives. In Jeremiah 29:11, God promised Israel that he had plans for them, plans “for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” Romans 8:28 promises those who love God and have been called to live according to his purposes, that God “will work all things together for good.” He has an amazing and magnificent plan for our lives. It will bring us spiritual growth and prosperity in Kingdom work. It will give us hope for the future and allow us to bring hope for the world. His plans for us will be very good.

But here’s the rub. Too often, when people talk about God’s wonderful plans for our lives, they can get the idea that “wonderful” implies a life of ease, comfort, freedom from suffering, pain, sickness or hurt of any kind. We assume that God’s wonderful plan for us is that we will have all we want, succeed in all we attempt, enjoy every day and have all our dreams come true.That is a very human form of wonderful.

God’s wonderful plan for your life may have a very different outcome. His plan is that you will have a significant life of service to him, that your life will count for all eternity. In 2 Corinthians 11, Paul recounted the details of God’s wonderful plan for his life. It involved being beaten, shipwrecked, stoned with stones, and all sorts of assorted sufferings. But he reveled in the plan of God, because in his weakness, he became strong. In his suffering and hardship, Christ revealed himself in a powerful way and used him to make an impact on the lives of other in the name of Christ.

Does God love you? He proved that at the cross when he sacrificed the body and shed the blood of his beloved Son to pay for your sins. That question is settled. Does he have a wonderful plan for your life? Absolutely. But you cannot define “wonderful” by your own standards.Wonderful to God is something very different.

God loved Noah and had a wonderful plan for his life. That plan required that Noah work hard, without reward and under intense ridicule and disdain, for many years until the ark was complete and God made the animals come and the rains fall. God loved Moses and had a wonderful plan for his life. That plan required Moses to walk on the edge of death for many years, to go to the most powerful man on earth and try to tell him what to do. God loved Abraham and had a wonderful plan for his life; a plan that required Abraham to wait patiently for 25 years until God fulfilled his promise about Isaac’s birth. God loved David and had a wonderful plan for his life, but David still had to face a giant, then spend years running from the king who wanted to kill him. He hid in caves and among the Philistines until God delivered on the plan and David became King of Israel. God loved Elijah and had a wonderful plan for his life. That plan put Elijah on Mt. Carmel facing 850 false prophets and one wicked queen. And God loved those Christians in the Coliseum awaiting death and had a wonderful plan for their lives. They would testify to Christ by giving their very lives in his name.

Today, we will look at the perfect plan that God reveals in the lives of his followers – that wonderful plan that he has for each of us who has been redeemed by the blood of the Lamb. In our last session, we focused on the threefold purpose that God has for his followers. He works to glorify himself by redeeming a people for himself from among the sinners of this wicked world.He then transforms those sinners to be just like Jesus Christ. That is what he is doing in your life.Your job is to die to self, to die with Christ to the life you had without him, to all the human goals, purposes, dreams, desires and ambitions that came from your sinful heart. You are then risen to walk a new life with Christ and to serve the eternal purposes of the Father.

Now, it is time to explore the plans that God has for his servants.

God’s Wonderful Plan Revealed

The church in America has adopted a corporate strategy, structure and planning philosophy to accomplish the work of God. When a church wants to grow, they hire a consultant or study a curriculum that will help them “re-dream the dream.” They determine their vision and goals for the church, then develop a long-range plan to accomplish that vision and set goals and objectives to measure their effectiveness.

There are some pastors and church leaders who have the arrogance and temerity to believe that they have the right to determine the vision and direction of God’s church. They ignore the fact that God has already given us his vision (to make disciples in all the world) and has revealed his purposes for the church. We are simply to bring our lives in line with what God has revealed. We cannot alter that or improve on the purposes that God has set.

But there are many who, while they understand that they must submit to God’s purposes, then make the false assumption that God has given us his purposes and then told us, “Now, go figure out how to get the job done.” He reveals his purposes, then leaves it up to us to figure out how to accomplish those purposes.

I do not find that model revealed in scriptures. In this study, we are looking at the great acts of God in Scripture, looking for a pattern that we can follow. If there is a pattern to the significant work of God in the lives of the biblical heroes, then perhaps there is a pattern that we can follow to become significant in the service of God. We have already looked at step one in that process – submitting our lives to the eternal purposes of God. Now, we will examine the second step as God reveals the wonderful plans that he has for those he loves. If we submit to God’s purposes and follow God’s plans for our lives, we are on our way to significant service in his name.

Step 2: God Reveals His Plan

How did God’s people come to understand what God wanted them to do? Did God reveal his noble purpose and then say, “Now, figure out a strategy and come up with an action plan to get the work done?” I would argue that there is not a single instance in scripture where God did anything that in any way resembles that. In fact, it was just the opposite. When God revealed his purpose, he also revealed a detailed and complete plan for what his servant was supposed to do.

In Genesis 6:13 God revealed his sovereign purpose to Noah. “I have determined to make an end of all flesh.” Then, verse 14, God revealed his plan. “Make an ark of gopher wood.” Note how specific God was. He told Noah the length, width and height, the building materials and the design. Not only did God reveal his purpose, but he also revealed a specific, detailed plan for how to get the job done. All Noah had to do was obey.

In Genesis 12, God spoke to Abraham, revealing the purpose he had determined for Abraham’s life. Abraham would be a great nation, a nation through which the entire world would be blessed. The revelation of the purpose of God was accompanied by a revelation of God’s plan.In Genesis 12:1, God ordered Abraham, “Go from your home and your country and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. As is always true when God reveals his plans, Abraham’s life was going to change dramatically. “You cannot stay where you are and go with God.”Blackaby’s words are so true. God’s purposes and plans for our lives require a new direction and new plans – big changes for significant service.

God revealed to Moses his purpose to deliver Israel to Moses, then told Moses to go toEgypt and face down Pharaoh. God’s purpose for Israel included God’s plan for Moses. Joshua was called to lead Israel in taking possession of the Promised Land, but he was not left to figure out his own plans. In fact, the one time that he did things his own way, Israel suffered a horrible defeat at the hands of little Ai. But, when they faced the walled city of Jericho, they followed the very detailed and specific plan that God gave them and the victory was one. God was ready to put into effect the plan devised before time began for Christ to come to earth in a human body.He appeared to a maiden in Nazareth, a young girl named Mary. Not only did God reveal his redemptive purpose, but he made it clear that his plan included Mary. She was going to have a baby.

Over and over this same pattern is seen. God reveals his purposes – what he is doing here on earth. Then, he reveals his plan for how that work is going to be accomplished. You cannot accomplish the purposes of God with your own plans. If we would serve the purposes of God, we must do it God’s way, following his plans and purposes.

How Do We Find God’s Plan?

The problem for many of us is very practical. How do we discover those noble plans that God has for us? It does not do any good to say we can only follow God’s plan if we do not have a way of discovering those plans. I believe that each of us is called personally by God, called to God and to a life of significant service in his name. And, I also believe that we can look at the life of the Apostle Paul, the most significant figure in the New Testament (other than Christ) and see a pattern for God’s revelation of his plans for all of us.

There are three clear parts to God’s call on Paul’s life. Those same three calls go to each of us. As we respond to the gracious call of God, the threefold call, we will find ourselves on a path to eternally significant service in Christ’s name.

God Called Saul to Salvation

On the road to Damascus, Saul of Tarsus was assaulted by God. I know that is a strong word, but how else can you describe that encounter? God knocked him to the ground and Saul was blinded by the light of the glory of our Savior. God called Saul to turn from his life of sin and trust Jesus Christ, yielding his life to him. It was a strange encounter, and those words were not used, but in essence, that is what took place.

Saul of Tarsus died that day. The name change did not occur until later, but the life-change began then. Saul of Tarsus was devoted to a purpose – the destruction of “The Way”, those who followed Jesus Christ as the Messiah of Israel. He headed to Damascus breathing out murderous threats and met Jesus along the way. On the ground, hearing the voice of the Savior, Saul died. He died to the purposes and goals he had lived for.

A new man was born that day. Paul the Apostle emerged slowly from the death of Saul of Tarsus. He had new life in Christ and a new purpose for his life. He now lived for the glory of God, for the gospel of Jesus Christ, and for conformity to the image of Christ. It was a startling transformation; one that others like Ananias had trouble adjusting to, but it was real.

Saul experienced salvation in all three tenses. He experienced the grace of God at a point in time and was saved (past-tense) on the road to Damascus. He lived in the grace of God and was growing to become more like Christ (present-tense). He also looked forward to that day in which his faith would become sight (future tense) and he would be glorified and receive what Christ had promised.

For most of us, salvation is not that dramatic. I was not cast to the ground when I was six, I did not hear a voice from heaven, nor was I cast to the ground by a heavenly light. But the same thing happened to me. I was called to salvation by the sovereign grace of Jesus Christ. The first call of God is the call to salvation and sanctification which each of us must receive.

God Called Paul to Mission

I hear the word “missional” a lot today, but I have never been able to get a firm fix on what it means. In my day, we talked about being “mission-minded.” Today, missional is the buzz-word. If I understand it at all, I think the idea behind the word is broader than what mission-minded has implied. Being mission-minded means supporting missions work with prayer, offerings, education and perhaps a mission-trip now and again. Missional means that we see our lives as being lived on mission, by the purposes and plans of God. If that is accurate, then Paul was missional and you and I should be as well.

When God called Saul to salvation, he was also calling Paul to a mission which he had designed for his life. It was a significant ministry, unique to Paul; one God had prepared specifically for him. There were two aspects to Paul’s call to be on mission.

Paul Received a General Call

You do not need to pray about whether God has a mission for you. It has been revealed clearly. We have all received the same general call from God. It came just before Jesus Christ left this earth. Our commanding officer left us orders that we must follow obediently. We need no new revelation or leading of the Spirit for these. They are our revealed and binding marching orders, recorded in Matthew 28:18-20. While we are going on our way throughout this world, we are to make disciples of all nations, first by baptizing them (representative of evangelism) and we are to teach them obedience to all Christ has commanded (the process of discipleship). Jesus added in Acts 1:8 that we would give constant testimony (be witnesses) to the life-changing power of Jesus Christ to the ends of the earth.

These are not suggestions, they are commands. They reveal the plan of God for each of our lives. If your sins have been paid for by the sufferings of Christ, if the blood of Christ has been applied to your heart and Jesus Christ has forgiven you of your sins, raised you to a new life in Christ and given you life eternal and abundant, you have life-defining orders from him today.You are to be involved at some point in the Great Commission. It is not an option. Your life is not meant for temporal things, for the pursuits of the world. God has a purpose and a plan for your life that is incumbent on all believers, a plan to take part in the Great Commission.

That is a general call that goes out to each believer. But it does not end there.

Paul Received a Specific Call

He also received a very specific call from God. God has a plan for all believers, but I believe he also has an individual call for each of us. Paul’s was revealed first just after his conversion on the Damascus Road. The call went out to Ananias to go and meet with Saul. He was understandably reluctant. Saul’s reputation preceded him. But God told him, in Acts 9:15-16, “But the Lord said to him, ‘Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel. For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.’” Saul was God’s chosen instrument to carry the name of Jesus to the Gentiles. It was a unique and personal call on Saul’s life.

The Apostles had focused their ministry on Jerusalem. In fact, until Saul’s great persecution recorded in Acts 8, they had not left their homes to carry the gospel to the world.But God had a plan. He confronted Saul on the road to Damascus and then called him to be the apostle to the Gentiles. It was a plan that was specific and unique to Saul.

This call was made clear to Saul in Acts 13:1-3. “Now there were in the church atAntioch prophets and teachers, Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen a member of the court of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, ‘Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.’ Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off.”

It was “go-time” for the gospel to be given to the Gentiles. God was not content that the disciples huddle in Judea and Samaria, he wanted them extended to the ends of the earth, as he had commanded. So he came and gave a very specific and personal call to the church about Barnabas. He said whom he wanted and what he wanted them to do. The church sent them off to do what God had intended for Saul to do. On that first journey, he became Paul and devoted the rest of his life to the specific, personal call that God had placed on his life.

But, I’m Not Paul

You may be objecting at this point that you are not Paul or an apostle of any kind. I would argue that God has such a personal plan and specific call for each of us who is called into theKingdom of God. Every one of us has an important part to play in the working of God’s kingdom.We are called, together, to obey Christ’s Great Commission. But each of us has our own important, specific, and unique place in the work of that Kingdom, a work which God reveals to us in his time.

I have neither the time nor the inclination at this point to get into all of the theological and practical difficulties of the study of spiritual gifts. But look at 1 Corinthians 12:4-7. “Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone.To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.” Verse 11 goes on to sum this teaching up. “All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills.”

Whatever else one would say about spiritual gifts, the clear implication of this passage is that God gives each of us the manifestation of the Holy Spirit in a unique way. The Spirit apportions to each one individually as he wills. You have a gift or gift set, a calling that is unique to you. God has specific plans, goals and aims for your life. Your job is to figure out what it is that he is wanting for you and from you.

How do you find those gifts, that specific calling? It is more of an art than a science, but I believe that you begin by serving. When I got right with God, I was drawn toward teaching the Bible. When I began to teach it, people seemed to be blessed by that. It became clear to me that the primary call of God on my life was to teach the Word of God to lead God’s people to obedience.

You may be someone who has a call to focus primarily on evangelistic ministries. Leaders from one of the nation’s key evangelistic ministries observed that in most church they go into, 10% to 15% of the people who go through evangelistic training come to sense that they are called into a ministry that focuses on evangelism. How effective would the church be if it identified, trained, funded and supported 15% of its people in ministries outside the walls of the church – reaching out in the name of Christ to those in need.

Others of you may focus, as I do, on Bible-teaching ministries. Some are devoted to service in the name of Christ – meeting the practical needs of the church and the people of the church. Many have a gift of mercy or exhortation – helping the hurting, the needy, the oppressed to find strength, comfort and healing. Some are given the gift of giving – a special call to financially support the ministries of the church. Others have gifts of administration and organization that pastors like me need desperately.

Each of us must identify our specific gifts and realize the call that God has placed on us, then begin to minister with power and grace in the way God intended.

Paul Received a Detailed Call

Paul was called to salvation by God’s grace. We were called to that same cross and that same Savior. Paul was called to serve God as an apostle to the Gentiles. I was called to be a teacher of God’s Word. You (if you are saved) have a gift set that God has given you to serve the Body of Christ.

But I believe that the call goes a little farther. Paul was not only called to be an apostle to the Gentiles, but God also gave him very specific and details instructions about that call. I was not just called to a ministry of teaching, but I believe that I was called to a ministry of teaching at Southern Hills Baptist Church in Sioux City, Iowa. I was in Cedar Rapids for over 14 years and would have been content to stay there for the rest of my life. Then, God worked through circumstances, people, and my prayers to direct me to leave my home and head west to Sioux City.

Look at the detailed instructions God gave Paul in Acts 16:6-10. “And they went through the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia. And when they had come up to Mysia, they attempted to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them. So, passing by Mysia, they went down to Troas. And a vision appeared to Paul in the night: a man of Macedonia was standing there, urging him and saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” And when Paul had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go on into Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.”

This is a fascinating passage. There are some today who say that God has given us his Word to guide us and that we should not expect anything beyond that. We are to read the Bible, study it, follow its teachings and not expect specific leadings, promptings or guidance. God may have a general will for my life, but they do not believe he has a specific will. I can marry whom I desire to marry, as long as she is within the bounds of scripture. I can minister where I wish to minister, Cedar Rapids, Sioux City or somewhere else. They would not believe that God has a specific, detailed plan for our lives.

That belief runs afoul of the revelation of Scripture. God gave specific plans – detailed unique and personal – to his followers. Look at what happened to Paul in Acts 16. He was on the road doing his ministry and was warned by the Holy Spirit that he should not go to Asia (Minor).The timing was not right on that one. Later, in the same trip, he would travel to Ephesus and establish a church there. But at this point, the Spirit told him no. There was no way he could discern that from any Old Testament scroll. Like his call to mission service, he was led directly by the Holy Spirit. It occurred to his that Bithynia might be the best place to carry the gospel.When they arrived at Mysia, they began to make plans to go there, but the Spirit of Christ prevented them – again, a specific, personal leading. Later that night, Paul was called in a vision to go to Macedonia and preach the gospel there. He went to Philippi, Berea and Thessalonica in obedience to the specific plan God had for his life. It was not enough for Paul to simply obey the general call of God to mission. He also had to submit to God’s call on his life (Apostle to the Gentiles) and to God’s specific plans (Macedonia, not Asia or Bithynia). \

Your challenge is to find your own Macedonian ministry. You must be born again by God’s grace, called to salvation in Christ. You must be submitted to the powerful, eternal purposes of God – his plan to glorify himself by redeeming sinful people and transforming them to be like Christ. You must also accept his plan for your life, to be a servant of the Great Commission, making disciples by testifying by your life and words that Jesus Christ is Lord of all. You need to find out what your gift and calling is, that which the Holy Spirit has apportioned to you for service in the Body. Those steps are crucial; none of them may be skipped without nullifying the entire process. But, once you have received the call to salvation and submitted to God’s purposes for your life, and accepted the general plan of God to be a testimony of Christ’s transforming power, you then need to seek out the Macedonian ministry that God has for you.

It should never be enough to just do whatever the nominating committee pressures you to do. Seek God and be led by him. I am convinced that there are many Christians who have never left Antioch. Whatever plans and purposes God has for your life are going unfulfilled because you refuse to leave the life you are living and follow God on the great adventure of faith.Some may be ministering in “Asia Minor” and finding frustration in spite of all their efforts.There is little fruit because the time is not right and the harvest is not ready. Other may be willfully following their own plans and going to Bithynia, even though the Spirit has directed in a different direction. God directed Paul to that specific place of significant service – Macedoina.God called Paul to salvation, to his purposes and to his general plan. But he also had a very specific personal plan for him that guided him step-by-step on his journeys.

And it is not just Paul. God called Noah to build a boat then gave his detailed directions.God sent both Joshua and Gideon into battle with unique, odd, but specific and detailed plans.Both the tabernacle and the temple were built according to very clear directions of incredible detail revealed by God. The idea that God gives us general principles and calls us to live obediently by them, without specific direction has very little biblical support.

God chose the people for his worldwide mission (Barnabas and Saul). He revealed the purpose (carry the gospel to the Gentiles). He gave them directions (Macedonia, not Asia orBithynia). His directions were personal, specific and details.

The Voice of God

I do not often hear voices in my head (comforting to all, I hope). But there have been times in my life when I sensed the strong leading of God. I was about a week away from leaving for seminary, when I sensed God speaking strongly to me that I should marry Jenni and take her with me. I did. After two years at Dallas seminary, I was laying awake one night, unable to sleep, and I had a clear direction that God wanted me back in Southern Baptist work and that a transfer to Southwestern Seminary was in order. I finished that semester at Dallas and headed over to Southwestern. At times, I have had promptings and leadings that I knew were from God.

How did I know? It is hard to say for sure. There is no question that the doctrine of the subjective leading of the Holy Spirit has been badly abused in the modern church. I would guess that every reader can call to memory an encounter with someone who claimed God was telling them to do something that you knew they shouldn’t be doing.

I had a friend who had a new girlfriend. He came to my house bubbly one day, because God had told him that he and Sheila (not her real name) were supposed to be together. A few days later, he told me that God had spoken to him that he and Sheila were not right for each other. Strangely, every few days over the next few weeks, God seemed to change his mind. Yes.No. Yes. No. The leading of God changed often. We all know what was happening here. My friend was being led by his conflicting emotions and calling them the leadings of God.

This concept is badly abused; I will not deny that. But the abuses of a doctrine do not negate the doctrine itself. If some abuse the liberty we have in Christ, it does not negate the fact that we have liberty. If hyper-Calvinists abound, that does not change the fact that God’s sovereign grace is our only hope of salvation. And if people abuse the idea of the subjective voice of God, that does not change the fact that from Genesis to Revelation, God spoke to his people and revealed personal, specific and detailed plans for their lives.

Hearing God’s Voice

How do you know when it is the voice of God? I cannot give you and hard and fast rules, but there are some principles we can follow. First, be in the Word of God regularly and diligently.The Bible is God’s Word – its pages are the voice of God to our hearts. The more you are in the Word, the more likely you are to hear God’s voice clearly and to identify those voices that try to imitate the divine voice to lead you astray. There is no one in more spiritual danger than the person who claims to hear the voice of God while the Bible is a closed book in his life. He is likely to be led astray and deceived. The spiritual predators in this wicked world will find him easy game. An active Bible study and prayer life is crucial to finding the personal plan of God for your life.

It is also crucial to note that when God spoke to Paul, he was on the move, actively obeying the commands that he had received from God. He was not sitting on the shore of the Mediterranean sipping lemonade with his feet up waiting on God’s direction. He had the command of God to be a testimony of Christ’s grace to the ends of the world, and he was obeying it. As he was on the road, God led and directed him. God does not speak his clear voice to the disobedient and lazy. He guides those who are following his revealed purposes and plans. Do not expect to hear the voice of God clearly if you are walking in disobedience, rebellion or for selfish purposes. The only voice you might hear there is the call to repentance.

It is also a good idea to listen to the wisdom of the body of Christ. Ultimately, you must obey God whether anyone else agrees or not. Paul was warned repeatedly by church leaders and even a prophet not to go to Jerusalem. He went anyway, believing that was God’s plan for him.But we must also listen to the wisdom of the Body of Christ. If you feel called to a teaching and preaching ministry, yet when you are speaking, people stay away like you have H1N1, you might not be hearing God correctly. The Body of Christ does not command you, Christ does. But only a fool refuses to listen to its wisdom and testimony. Spirit-filled believers can be a great help in finding God’s plan for your life.

The simple fact is that when I hear my wife’s voice on the phone, she does not have to identify herself. A simple “hello” is enough for me to know who she it. I have heard her voice frequently (no joke intended) since I met her at a Halloween party in 1975. I know that voice.The more I walk in the Spirit, the more I immerse myself in the Word, the more obedient I am to Christ, the easier I will find it to identify the Voice of God and recognize the whisperings of imposters.

The Straight Path

Proverbs 3:5-6 gives us a template for this process. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.” My job is to trust God, not my own wisdom. I am to submit to his purposes and follow his plans for my life. I must acknowledge his right as Lord over me in all things. When I do this, I have the promise of God that he will direct me; that he will straighten the path before me and make my way plain and sure.

It is the master’s job to direct the obedient servant. It is the servant’s job to obey the master. If I do my job and live in obedience and submission the will of God, I can be assured that God will do his job and faithfully guide me on the path he has set for me.

I may not receive a detailed itinerary of the rest of my life. It seldom works like that. It is often more like walking hand-in-hand with him, step-by-step through life. When God makes his will plain, I obey. As I take that step of faith, God reveals the next step. Day-by-day I walk with him on the path to glory. I believe that is the way God works. He guides us day-by-day as we walk step-by-step hand-in-hand with our Father. That is an exciting way to live, and adventure of faith. Walking by faith is never as easy as walking by sight, but it is the path to the power of God and significant service in the name of Christ.

God loves me and he has a wonderful plan for my life. It may be a plan that involves pain and suffering. It may not be an easy road that God has called me to walk. But if I trust in him and acknowledge his rights over me, I know he will lead, guide and direct me to my own Macedonian ministry, to a place of significant service to him in which my life, under his hand of power, will make a difference in this world.

My redeemed friend, I know he will do the same for you!

Greater Things Are Yet To Come!

2009-09-26T20:55:00.002-05:00

(On September 13, I preached this sermon at Bethel Baptist Church in Newell, Iowa, which was celebrating its 50th anniversary)

I am a pessimist at heart. I feel a little like a character from one of my favorite books. In “The Silver Chair” – one of CS Lewis’ Narnia Chronicles, the Marsh-wiggle Puddleglum always manages to find the cloud in every silver lining. No matter how well things go, he is able to imagine how things are going to go horribly wrong. When things are going great for me, when the church is running smoothly, when everyone is getting along, when people are responding to the Word, I start looking around to figure out where the backlash is going to come from. I know that human beings are sinful, that our hearts are desperately wicked and that we have a powerful enemy coming against us. It is easy to lose sight of the power of God and adopt a negative, pessimistic, depressing outlook on life.

And this world gives us a lot of reasons to be pessimistic. Eight years ago this weekend, terrorists attacked our nation and killed around three thousand innocent Americans. But they did more than destroy some buildings, down some planes and kill some people. They shook our confidence, our sense that we are strong and safe in our homeland.

Since that day, we have gone through some difficult economic times. We’ve had some ups and downs, but in the last year it has been mostly down. Across this land there are people whose homes have lost most of their value, who have lost those homes to foreclosure, who have lost jobs and savings and financial security. Even if you haven’t been affected as much as some, I’m sure it is hard for you to look to the future with security and confidence.

We are also in a time of political upheaval. Whether you are a fan of the current administration or not, you have to agree that things are changing in America and that there is more political unrest, more anger out there than most of us can remember in our lifetime. Americans used to believe that their government could solve problems. Now, many believe that the government is the cause of our problems. We are involved in wars that seem to never end and are never really won, wars that take the lives our young men and women and bring hatred from around the globe.

And if you are a Christian, you cannot be pleased about the moral and spiritual direction of this nation. Can you imagine, in 1959, congress debating whether marriage is supposed to be between a man and a woman? Could we have imagined then that millions of babies would be aborted annually, that moral and spiritual values that have marked this nation throughout its existence would have so quickly been abandoned?

Add to that the fact that many of you are probably going through personal struggles. Families are falling apart. We are worried about pandemic diseases such as the H1N1 flu that has been threatening our nation. You may be having family issues, financial issues,

Before I put all of you into severe depression, let me sum this up. It is a difficult world in which we live, a world that intimidates us, overwhelms us, discourages us and sometimes oppresses us.

But there is one thing in this that bothers me most. The world is wicked – that is a reality ever since Adam and Eve turned their backs on God and embraced sin. We live in a fallen world. Sinful people sin, and that sin seems to be growing as we approach the day of the blessed return of Christ. But the problem today is not with the sinful world. A sinful world does what a sinful world is supposed to do. It sins.

The problem is with the church. We are the salt of the earth, put here by God to prevent the decay of sin and death. But the salt has lost its savor. We are the light of the world, shining the light of Christ into the darkness. But the world is not seeing the light. Where is the light? Where is the salt?

I have never seen Christians as discouraged and forlorned as many of them are today. We have become spiritual pessimists. We have accepted an assumption that the church should never accept. We have given up. We believe that the power is gone. The mighty power of God that changed lives in biblical days, that turned the world upside down – we believe that that power is no longer available to us today. Things are bad and they are only going to get worse.

Here is the thesis I would like to communicate to you today. Regardless of how difficult the times, those who have been born again by the grace of God, redeemed and forgiven by the blood of Christ, adopted into God’s heavenly family, indwelled by and sealed with the Holy Spirit, given an eternal home in Heaven and empowered by God for significant service have NO RIGHT to be anything but optimistic!

In support of this thesis, I offer two stories from the Bible, one scripture, and then, of course, a song. I was considering this sermon and wishing that we could sing a certain song to close it out. Then, your pastor went over the order of the day and told me the song that we would conclude with. That was my confirmation that this was the message we needed to hear today. So, let look at these two stories from the Bible (one OT, one NT) and then draw some important conclusions.

Judges 17-21 is not a high point of the Word. In fact, if they made a movie of this scripture, and made it accurate, it would be rated R and none of you should go see it. At the end of the period of the Judges, Israel had become a pagan, idolatrous and wicked people. Thing happened in this time that were shameful beyond words. It was, perhaps, worse than the world we live in today.

God’s people treated God’s Word with disdain and went about their lives doing as they pleased. “Israel had no king and everyone did what was right in his own eyes.” Does that sound familiar? It was a time of political upheaval, with leadership changing all the time. Immorality and perversion were rampant in the nation, and culture had become violent and cruel. Even the spiritual leaders have become compromised with sin. Instead of being united in the service of God, the people of God were divided and hostile to each other. In other words, things in Israel were much like they are in the church today.

It would have been evident to anyone who lived in those days that things were pretty much over for Israel. Their best days were behind them, the glory was gone. Anyone who looked at it could see that the days of the power of God, the days of God’s miraculous display of his glory in Israel and in the conquest – those days were over now. It was just a matter of time until God’s patience was exhausted and Israel was destroyed forever.

But anyone who thought that would have been wrong. As Judges closes out and 1 Samuel opens, a baby is born. That little boy’s mother did something amazing, she gave her son to God. That boy experienced the reality of God in his own life, and over his lifetime he led Israel back to God. In his later years, he anointed a young shepherd to be king and that young man established the messianic line of Israel.

Here’s the point, my friends. When things looked hopeless in Israel, God was about to do something amazing. When it looked like Israel was finished, their best days were still ahead. When Judges closed and things looked awful, Israel was less than a century away from its greatest days of glory. Greater things were yet to come and greater things were still to be done in Israel.

Now, let us move forward about a thousand years. The disciples left everything to follow Jesus. They seldom understood what he said and they often said and did things that can only be described as silly. They had left all to follow Jesus, confident that he would lead them to throw off the yoke of Rome and reestablish the nation of Israel. They bumbled and stumbled but were always confident that they would be Jesus’ right-hand men when he became King. And then, one day, it all fell apart. Jesus was arrested and put on trial for blasphemy. False witnesses lied about him and the crowds called for his blood. The messiah of Israel was put to death on cross. They were devastated, destroyed. Their whole world was blown apart.

Three days later, they were shocked when Jesus rose from the dead. They were still confused though. They kept expecting him to use his supernatural power to gather an army and chase the Roman army off their land. Jesus tried to teach them, but they never got it. Then, Jesus left. He ascended up into heaven and left them by themselves. What were they to do now? They did not have a clue. But they met together for ten days, praying and seeking God together. Circumstances told them that it was all over. This whole thing had been interesting but now, Jesus was gone. His power was gone. The opportunity was gone. That was the unmistakable message of the circumstances.

Then the power of God fell. At they were all together in the Upper Room, the Holy Spirit descended on them. Suddenly, the confused and bumbling disciples became world-changing apostles who carried the gospel to the four corners of the world. You see, circumstances lied. The events of the world told them that it was all over. But in reality, God was about to release his glory in a new and powerful way. When it looked like everything was over, greater things were yet to come and greater things were still to be done in Jerusalem.

That brings us to a scripture we need to consider. John 14:12-14 says this, “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father. Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it.” There is no question that this verse has a lot of theological background and context that needs to be considered – more than we can do today. And it is also undeniable that this verse has been as misused and abused as any verse in the Bible. Too many folks have made false claims based on the teaching of these verses.

But there is one truth that cannot be doubted or denied. God intended his people to accomplish great things. In fact, he wanted them to do greater things than he himself did in his earthly ministry. The same God who empowered the ministry of Christ would be there to empower the ministries of those who came in his name.

Jesus evangelized a small group of men who would go on to serve him. We are to work together to evangelize the world. We are meant to live lives of significant service, empowered ministry and to have a world-changing effect on this world. As God empowered his work, he empowers us to greater things.

So here’s my point, folks. It is wrong, perhaps even blasphemous, for Christians to be pessimistic, or to act as if the power of God has somehow been diminished or that his purposes will fail. I don’t know all that God is doing in this world, but I know that his power is still real. The power that raised Jesus Christ from the dead can strengthen us to do mighty things in the name of God.

I was at an anniversary celebration at another church several years ago, and it left me kind of sad. They had a great history and God had done great things there. But all they could talk about was what God did in the 60’s. Since then, not so much! It is easy for us to get nostalgic, to look back at the old days and think – wasn’t that great! Then, we settle down and wait for the bad times to come.

I am here to give you a simple message today. Greater things are yet to come and greater things are still to be done right here in this city. If Bethel Baptist Church in Newell, Iowa will yield itself to God, your greatest days are still ahead. It is not an easy world. Carnal Christians will not get the job done anymore. Christians who are drawn into the culture and adopt the values and goals of American society will not get it done. But committed Christians, those who give themselves to Jesus and walk in obedience to him, those kind of Christians have every expectation that they will experience the power of the living God and that greater things will continue to happen.

I will tell you, if you want to see greater things you must give greater things. You must lay down your lives and living sacrifices, denying yourselves and taking up your crosses to follow Jesus. You must submit to the Lordship of Christ. You must walk daily in the fullness of the Holy Spirit. You must focus on the eternal purposes of God and the needs of your community and the lost. You must walk in complete dependence on him and his power.

But God has plans for Newell. He plans to do greater things here than he has ever done. Today, as you look back on what God has done, rejoice. But no church can be healthy that ONLY looks back. We must also look forward. We must have the sure and certain hope that the power of God will do greater things in the future than he has done in the past. The good old days are still ahead if you give yourselves to God. Greater things are still to come and greater things are still to be done in this city.

When things fall apart in your world, do not despair. Remember that greater things are yet to come and greater things are still to be done in this city.

When the troubles of life pile up and you do not think you can go on another minute, remember that greater things are yet to come and greater things are still to be done in this city.

When you wonder how you can pay your bills or keep your head above water, Remember that greater things are yet to come and greater things are still to be done in this city.

When you see your nation falling into moral decay and you despair that righteousness can ever be restored, remember that greater things are yet to come and greater things are still to be done in this city.

When your eyes are on the problems and you can only see the victory of wickedness in this world, lift up your eyes, my friends. Jesus is alive and greater things are yet to come and greater things are still to be done in this city.

There is a God in this city. Jesus Christ is the rightful Lord and King over Newell, over Storm Lake, over all this area. People may not recognize his right to rule, and they may walk in disobedience to him, but that does not change things. Jesus is the God of this City and he is alive. He is at work. And if you will be his people, he will do greater things through you!

Greater things are yet to come and greater things are still to be done in this city.

Significant Servants, September 6, 2009

2009-09-16T10:57:00.000-05:00

When a brother or sister in Christ dies, we comfort ourselves with the fact that death actually brought them to a new life. One life ended and another life, a better life, a glorious life began. We can only experience that life when the life we have comes to an end. That is why the Revelation calls the death of a saint “blessed.” 1 Corinthians 15 uses the metaphor of a seed to describe the process. The seed goes into the ground and bursts forth with a new and greater existence. In the same way, we die and our bodies are planted in the ground. At the right time God will call us forth with new life, transform our lowly, mortal bodies into glorious, immortal bodies and bring us into his presence forever.

Something very similar to that happens when we are saved. We are crucified with Christ and then raised to walk a new life in Christ. Salvation is not just an act of inner therapy or a self-esteem building exercise. It is a death to sin and to the life we have without Jesus that allows us to be raised to a new life with Christ, one which evidences the presence and power of God.

You had a life without Christ. It may have been a good life in human terms, or it may have been severely broken by sin. But it was not the life God intended for you; a life in which you sought your own purposes, goals, pleasures and ambitions. Then the Holy Spirit began to bring you under conviction of sin and woo you to the Cross, the only place where salvation is found. At that point, you died. No, your heart continued to beat and you never stopped breathing. But you died. The life you had without Jesus Christ was gone.

Here’s the point of all this: when you died, your old life was gone. But like physical death ushers believers into a greater glory, the death you died with Christ brought to you a whole new life. 2 Corinthians 5:17 says, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” We come to Christ and die. The old life is gone. That is when the new life of Christ begins, a life in which Christ lives in you.

Oh, on the outside you are the same person. Your hair color does not suddenly change and you don’t grow taller. But your soul, your spirit, the inner you is a new creation of God. You now have different abilities – spiritual abilities given you by the Holy Spirit. You live your life by the resources of God. You have new priorities, set by God. And, as we have studied, you have new purposes, God’s purposes.

What I have described is standard operating procedure for a person who is redeemed by the blood of Christ. It is not an option for the super-duper extra-special saint. This is basic, entry-level Christianity. There is no provision made in scripture for anyone to receive salvation without experiencing the death I have described. Salvation, in the New Testament, is being crucified with Christ and then being raised to walk a new life in him. It is a death that brings new life. You do not add Jesus to your life and then continue on the way you have always gone. Many people have a religion, even a church experience. But unless you have died to sin and been raised to a new life in Christ, you do not have salvation. If what I have described here is foreign to your experience, you would do well to examine yourself before God and ask if you have ever truly been redeemed

That is not to say that if you still struggle with sin, you are not saved. Even those who have this new life still have struggles with the old nature. Our new life has been irrevocably given to us in Christ, but it comes into our experience in stages. It is a process, not a single point in time. At the moment you turn from your sins and trust Christ, your spirit is quickened and you are made alive in Christ. You die with Christ and receive his eternal life.

Then, as we live our lives, God goes to work to transform us, to make us like Jesus Christ. This is a lifelong process. In Luke 9:23, Jesus told us that we must take up our crosses daily to follow him. Every day you must renew your death with Christ, renewed your commitment to be a living sacrifice. The sinful nature never gives up. It is always looking to derail us, to draw us back into the life of sin. We must die daily and gradually become more and more like Jesus Christ. This process of sanctification starts at conversion and only ends at death.

But one day all our struggles will be over. When Jesus calls us from the grave and transforms our bodies into glorious, immortal and sinless bodies, the process will be over. We will become like Christ, receiving the fulfillment of all that we have been promised, all that was purchased for us at the cross. It is only in that day that the struggle with sin is finished. our bodies die and life on this earth ends. It is at that death that life eternal is consummated.

Christians are not sinless or perfect. But we have been made new in Christ. There ought to be evidence of the life of Christ in the life of the Christian. In Christ we have access to all the riches of his grace and to the power of Holy Spirit who dwells in us. Before Christ, we lived by our own sense of right and wrong, or by what people in the world said was right. In Christ, the Holy Spirit works in us to produce the righteousness of Christ and bring us in line with the holiness of God. Before Christ, our priorities were like everyone else’s; we sought personal happiness and fulfillment. But in Christ we have new priorities. We want to know Christ and serve the interests of the Kingdom. And before Christ our lives were lived for human purposes. Now, in Christ our lives are focused on the purposes that God has set for us.

God’s Universal Purposes

What are those purposes? God’s sovereignty is so complex, it is hard to boil it down to simple categories. He does so much that we will never understand or even comprehend. But there are certain consistent purposes which we see revealed in scripture which guide the activity of God in this world. I see three universal purposes consistently displayed in God’s work. We will examine those.

The Glory of God

God is always working to display his own glory. If I did that, I would be an arrogant megalomaniac. It is not my right to receive the praises of creation. But it is God’s! He is the Creator and sustainer of all that is. He is the rightful Lord of all and it is right and good that all glory would go to him at all times.

Creation itself manifests the glory of God. Psalm 19:1 says, “The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.” God revealed his existence and his sovereign power when he spoke this world into being. There is a majesty and beauty in the world God made that moves us to praise him.

I had just graduated high school and was on a trip with my youth group. One day we climbed the Chimneys, a couple of mountain peaks a few miles from Gatlinburg, Tennessee. I was in great shape at the time and I got out ahead of anyone else. I reached the top about five minutes before anyone else and was alone on the mountain. I was not walking with God at the time, but the grandeur of that place moved me to worship, to consider the glory of God. The heavens declare the glory of God.

God is to be glorified in this world by all that he has made. He, as Creator, has the right to expect that his creation will honor him. Psalm 57:11 explains the way things ought to be. “Be exalted, O God, above the heavens! Let your glory be over all the earth!” God is exalted, seated high upon the throne. He is at work in everything he does to display his glory in this world.

What is our response to this? It is simple. We glorify him. God works to glorify himself in this world, so we should give him the glory he deserved. Psalm 96:8 instructs us to “Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name.” We are to enumerate the glories of God, to spell them out clearly so that all will know that our God is great, that he is exalted above all gods and that he is powerful, sovereign, holy, loving and merciful.

But it more than just words that give glory to God. It is crucial that our tongues give him praise. But it is more important that our lives do so. Human beings are the only part of this creation that resists the glory of God or tries to rob it from him. As Satan did in the ages past, we try to ascend to the throne and become like the most high. We try to receive glory instead of giving it to him. It is by abandoning our own ambitions and goals and giving ourselves fully to him that we give him the glory he deserves.

A People Redeemed

One of the chief ways that God glorifies himself is by redeeming a people for himself from among this world’s sinners. Revelation 7:9-10 describes a group of people who gather around the throne of God. “After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, ‘Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!’” Before Jesus left earth, he told his disciples that they would be witnesses to the end of the earth. It seems that the command has been fulfilled. From the ends of the earth a people has been gathered to God, redeemed by the blood of Christ and devoted to the praise of his glory. Verse 15 tells us the eternal purpose of this group. “Therefore they are before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple; and he who sits on the throne will shelter them with his presence.” These people spend eternity praising God and serving him.

God is at work now in this world to redeem those people. In fact, all of history hinges on this purpose. God prepared the world for the coming of Christ and that fateful day at Calvary when our sins were paid for and salvation was won. In the Old Testament, God displayed his power to free his people from Egypt and bring them into the Promised Land. That was his great saving act. Everything else that he did among Israel was based on that act of redemption. In the New Testament, it is the cross of Christ that is central. God poured out his wrath against our sin on Jesus and we are forgiven.

So, how do we respond to this? It is simple. God has ordained that the salvation that is wrought by his sovereign grace is proclaimed by human voices. He could have appeared to people in dreams and visions to proclaim his grace. He could have sent angels to tell people the good news. But he told us to go into all of the world and make disciples. When we understand this purpose of God, there is only one fitting response, and that is that both individually and as churches we would faithfully proclaim the message of salvation in Christ.

In the Image of Christ

But God’s work does not stop at redemption. Too many Christians only think of faith as a point in time in the past and future glory. But God also has a purpose for us today. Those he redeems by the blood of Christ he transforms into the image of Christ. Romans 8:29 says that “Those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.” In 2 Corinthians 3:18 God tells us, “And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another.”

That is what the last half of the Great Commission is all about. Our task is to make disciples; a two-step process. First, we are to evangelize the lost and baptize them into Christ. Then, when people have been converted to Christ, we are to teach them to obey everything that Christ has commanded them. When we teach God’s Word, the Spirit of God uses the Word of God to do the work of God among us.

And so, that is our response to this purpose of God. We teach the Word. In all we do, we teach people what the Bible says. And we do not just convey information, we proclaim life-changing truth and call people to submit to it and obey everything that is taught in it.

The First Step

This is the first step in becoming significant servants of God. When God was going to do a mighty work, he revealed his purposes to his people. Those people had to submit their lives to the purposes of God instead of to their own. If we would see the power of God in our lives, we must yield ourselves to the purposes of God. We have studied three universal purposes that the Scriptures show us govern all of God’s activities in this world. We must yield our lives and our churches to the service of these purposes. God may have individual purposes which he will work among us, as he did in the biblical days. Those God will make plain to those who seek him. But our first duty is to submit to the revealed purposes of God. If we are serving God’s universal purposes, all other things will be made plain. If we are not serving the universal purposes, we cannot ask God to reveal individual purposes.

The first step could not be plainer. If you want to be a significant servant of the Living God, yield to his universal purposes for your life.

Playing the Race Card to Stifle Debate

2009-09-16T10:04:00.000-05:00

Let me say two things at the start of this little tirade.

1) I am not a fan of Barack Obama. Not even a little. I have yet to find a policy area in which he and I agree. I do not believe that my opposition to the president has anything to do with his race.

2) I think Joe Wilson was way out of line to shout "You lie" during the president's recent address. That kind of thing usually causes a backlash and it has in this case. It was wrong and foolish to stray from civility.

But the backlash to Wilson's comments have become startling and open a can of worms I would like to address.

I think there is an attempt on the part of the American left to limit the ability of conservative Americans to dissent from the president's policies by playing the race card. The left wing has been making shrill accusations of their own, intimating that the motive for Wilson's statement and last week's "tea party" in DC was racial in nature.

Maureen Dowd began the foolishness on Sunday in the (surprise) New York Times when she wrote, "I've been loath to admit that the shrieking lunacy of the summer ... had much to do with race, but Wilson's shocking disrespect for the office of the president -- no Democrat ever shouted 'liar' at W. when he was hawking a fake case for war in

Iraq

-- convinced me: Some people just can't believe a black man is president and will never accept it." She also wrote that Wilson "clearly did not like being lectured and even rebuked by the brainy black president presiding over the majestic chamber."

So, opposition to Obama is rooted in people not wanting to be told what to do by a black man? Does she have any evidence that Wilson is a racist? Does she offer any? In the absence of any evidence to support her claims, I am left with the conclusion that this is an ingenious way to stop people from dissenting from the president's viewpoints - a blatant attempt to intimidate the opposition. Note how she describes the opposition to the president's policy, "shrieking lunacy."

During the runup to Wilson's rebuke on the House floor this week, a Democrat from Georgia, Rep. Hank Johnson, accused Wilson of lending aid and comfort to the KKK. He warned that if Wilson did not receive a rebuke, people would don "white hoods and white uniforms again" and start "riding through the countryside." Here is his full comment. "He did not help the cause of diversity and tolerance with his remarks -- if I were a betting man I would say it instigated more racist sentiment. And so I guess we'll probably have folks putting on white hoods and white uniforms again and riding through the countryside intimidating people. ... That's the logical conclusion if this kind of attitude is not rebuked, and Congressman Wilson represents it. He's the face of it."

Why is it that so often, calls to "civility" are only directed at one side. Interesting that Wilson was rebuked, but this kind of race-baiting charge is accepted without question.

The capper, of course, was the comment of that great Baptist statesman, held up as the model of virtue and civility, Jimmy Carter. He said, "I think an overwhelming portion of the intensely demonstrated animosity toward President Barack Obama is based on the fact that he is a black man, that he's African American. I live in the South, and I've seen the South come a long way and I've seen the rest of the country that shared the South's attitude toward minority groups at that time ... and I think it's bubbled up to the surface, because of a belief among many white people, not just in the South but around the country, that African-Americans are not qualified to lead this great country."

Again, he offers no evidence to support this harsh accusation. Opposition to the president is racially motivated because Jimmy says so.

Here is my thesis: the American left wants to intimidate the opposition into silence. If you do not support Barack Obama, you are a racist, even if you do not see it. You are supporting the efforts of the KKK and advancing racism in the land.

I say, do not listen. Do not be intimidated. If you do not like the policies of Barack Obama, speak out. Give reasoned, articulate expression to your opposition. Don't get angry and yell and shout - that just feeds into those who would play the race card to intimidate you. Do not let Jimmy Carter stop you from speaking out.

I do not care if Barack Obama is black or white. I care that he is plunging our nation into a debt load from which it may never recover. George W was criticized for driving the nation into huge debts in the order of about 400 billion a year. The debt next year is estimated to be 1.85 TRILLION dollars.

I do not want our nation's healthcare system to be socialized or even some kind of system like that. The government has not run anything well except an army (and sometimes, it has trouble with that).

My opposition to the president has little to do with the color of his skin. I oppose abortion, so I have to oppose Obama. I cannot understand why the government is giving people "cash for clunkers" when we are already drowning in debt. I think "cap and tax" is a bad idea.

If you like Obama, that is your right. I oppose his policies and the direction he wants to take America. And I will not let Jimmy Carter, Hank Johnson and Maureen Dowd intimidate me into silence by accusing me of racism.

It is about bad policies, not skin color.

(All the quotes here were pulled from news reports on the story)

Significant Servants, August 30, 2009

2009-09-03T00:43:00.002-05:00

A disturbing number of American churches are either statistically plateaued or declining. My denomination, the Southern Baptist Convention, is as aggressively evangelistic as any other denomination and yet most of our churches fall into that category. And, if we are honest, many of the churches that are growing are doing so simply by attracting people from other churches. It is rare today to see a church that is growing by reaching the lost and is having a genuine impact on its community. And this should not be. We as individuals are meant to be significant. In the same way, churches are meant to be significant; reaching the lost, discipling the saved and impacting the kingdom of darkness in the name of our Savior and Lord. It is hard to argue that the American church is healthy.

Denominations and church growth experts spend their time trying to figure out what is wrong and what we can do about it. The solution many have come to is often called the “purpose-driven” model. To that concept (if not to every application of it) I say amen. It is apparent that many churches have forgotten why we exist and what we are here to accomplish. We are not social clubs or educational societies. Churches are not institutions to be maintained and promoted. We are the Body of Christ; his hands and feet in this world. We are the army of God; soldiers serving the King to advance the Kingdom. If churches have forgotten that they need to reconnect with their God-given purpose. If we have become concerned with entertaining people than advancing the Kingdom, more concerned with growing the church than growing the Kingdom, then we need to be reminded of the marching orders God gave us in the Great Commission. We need to remember our purpose and be driven by it.

What disturbs me, though, is the idea some have that it is our job to determine what the purpose of our church is. We are told to work together to determine a purpose statement that is unique to our church, then develop objectives and goals to help us reach that purpose. It is not our right to determine the purpose of our lives or our churches. That has already been set by our Lord and our duty is to obey him.

We are trying to discern a pattern in the way that God works through his people, how he displays his glorious power through them. As we begin this process, I would ask you to consider an important question. How did God work in scripture? Is there a single time you can think of in which God came to a people and told them they needed to clarify their purpose, form a focus group to discuss their objectives and goals and move toward the purpose they had agreed on. I see a different pattern. It seems to me that God’s purpose is revealed from him rather than decided by human efforts.

We are studying the pattern for becoming a Significant Servant, someone who accomplish eternal ministry in this life. God means his children to be significant, to make a difference. You are not meant to squander your life in temporal pursuits, but to invest your life in the things of God and see an eternal return on that investment. But how? How do we get there? In the last chapter, I spelled out a pattern in the way God works that I have seen as I have studied the Word of God. Today, we will begin looking at the first step.

Some Examples

Noah was just going about his work, living his life as a good man in an evil world on the day that God appeared to him. He had no idea what God was doing in the world. Then, God spoke. “I am about to judge this evil world.” God revealed his purpose to Noah, that he was about to bring a worldwide flood to destroy the wicked world and start over. The purpose of God was revealed to Noah. Noah did not figure it out through his own creativity or innovative thought. God told him what he was about to do.

Abraham was going about his business when God suddenly appeared and told him that he had a unique purpose for his life. This childless man was going to be the father of God’s chosen people. In fact, he would be the father of many nations. God would bless him and through him he would bless the world. This was not some grandiose scheme worked up in the heart of Abraham while he was living in Ur. This was the purpose of God revealed to him.

Moses was a shepherd in the desert of Midian. Every day was pretty much like the day before it – desert, mountains and sheep. We do not know much about what he was doing, but we are pretty sure that he was not organizing focus groups to discuss how he could accomplish great things in the name of Yahweh. Then, God appeared to him in a burning bush and the course of the reset of his life was set. God said it was time to release the Israelites from their bondage in Egypt. God had a purpose and a plan and he revealed it to Moses.

God told Joseph that he intended for him to rule. God revealed his purposes to Joshua, to give him and the people he led the land of Canaan as their inheritance. God revealed his plan to make Gideon into a mighty warrior against Midian. Are you getting the picture? Samuel was a child in the temple when God spoke to him and revealed his purposes. David was herding sheep and playing his harp when God sent Samuel to anoint him as king. God appeared to an innocent maiden and told her that Messiah was coming into the world and that she would be his mother.

Here is the significant point. God’s purposes were revealed, not discerned. God did not ask people to develop purpose statements. He revealed his purposes to them and asked them to fall in line with that. Step one toward Significant Service is to yield to the purposes that God has revealed. We have to go to God’s word and see those great purposes which God has revealed that guide all his dealings with mankind. We also have to seek God until his purposes for our lives and churches are made clear. It is a clear and consistent pattern in God’s Word. God’s purposes are revealed to man not discerned by man.

Perhaps it is a semantic distinction. I know that proponents of purpose-driven lives and churches would agree that it is the purposes of God that are to guide us. But I think we sometimes forget this. It is not our job to figure out the course of our lives or to figure out how we can accomplish great things for God. It is our duty to seek, through the Word and the ministry of the Spirit, to figure what God’s purposes and plans are to yield ourselves to them. The great acts of God’s power all started in the heart of God not in the mind of man.

In this chapter, we will look at the importance of yielding our lives to the purposes of God. Then, we will study what the Bible says about the purposes of God. It is important to realize that this is step one in the process of becoming Significant Servants of God. It does not good to go on to step two, or three, or four or five if we do not do what is required in step one. This is fundamental to biblical Christianity.

An American Heresy

I believe that American Christianity has developed a mutated form of the true faith, a uniquely American false Christianity. Perhaps it is in evidence in other parts of the world, as well. But it has nearly taken over the mindset of American Christianity. We have developed the false idea that God exists to help you find personal happiness and fulfillment as you seek to accomplish your purposes in life.

Human beings live their lives for certain temporal purposes. We want to be happy and fulfilled – common sentiments which are not inherently sinful. But we tend to devote our lives to seeking certain things which we think will help us achieve that purpose – happiness and fulfillment. We seek money and the things that money buys because we buy into the greed and materialism that has so dominated the American mindset. You can only truly be happy if you have the luxuries and comforts that everyone else has, right? We seek ways of making our lives comfortable; free from pain, hurt and suffering in any way. We tend to believe we have the right to expect easy, enjoyable and pain-free lives. We also seek lives of pleasure and fun. Ask 100 people walking down the street what they want out of life and you will get a preponderance of answers that can be translated something like this, “I just want to have fund and be happy.” Our entertainment industry is one of the largest in the land and we honor celebrities regardless of how little they do to be worthy of that honor. Finally, we seek control over our own lives and often over the lives of those around us. These are basic human purposes: a life of happiness and fulfillment marked by prosperity, ease, fun and control.

Here’s where we have diverted from the faith revealed in scriptures. We have created a Christian faith designed to help people achieve their human goals. The High Priestess of American False Religion (Oprah Winfrey) said once on her show that all religions have the same goal; they want to help us figure out how to be happy. If it were just Oprah, that would be no big deal. But there is a whole wing of the Christian church which is devoted to the teaching that the heart of God is to make us healthy and wealthy. God exists to help us find earthly wealth and health – to make us happy here on earth. One Christian (?) bestseller promises “Your Best Life Now.” And even in evangelical churches, we often present Christianity as if it is God’s way for you to find happiness and fulfillment here on earth. Essentially, in this model, God is the wind in our sails, helping us to be what we want to be, do what we want to do and achieve what we want to achieve. Regardless of how widespread this concept is, it is still false.

The Essence of True Christianity

We have missed the sine qua non of biblical Christianity. God is not here to help us fulfill our purposes and goals. He calls us to die to self and yield our lives to his purposes. I fear that sometimes we read scripture with blinders on, not seeing the hard, harsh truths that are often revealed there. We ignore the parts about loving our enemies, about not worrying about anything, about rejoicing always. And we ignore the hard truth that those that Jesus calls to eternal life he first calls to death. There is no salvation, no sanctification, no abundant life and no spiritual power until we die.

Do you think I am making this up? Perhaps you remember what Jesus said in Luke 9:23-24. “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it.” There is no way to have the life of God without dying to the life we had without God. Matthew 10:38 reinforces the thought and makes it clear that this is fundamental to our faith. “And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me.” There is no Christian option which avoids deny oneself and following Christ in death.

In our natural condition, we seek the joys and pleasures, the passions and desires of this world. In the American False Religion, we maintain that God wants to help us achieve these earthly passions. But when we look at Galatians 5:24, we see a very different picture. “And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.” God does not sanctify and satisfy the flesh and its desires. He crucifies them. Galatians 6:14 says, “But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.” The Christian does not seek the rewards of, the approval of or the pleasures of this world. The world is crucified to us and we are crucified to the world. We reject the treasures of earth for those in heaven. Instead of insisting on ease and comfort, we willingly endure hardship to serve the eternal Kingdom of Jesus Christ. We no longer settle for the pleasures of this world but seek something higher and more noble, the glory of God. And when you submit to Christ and his purposes you no longer seek the power and control that those in this world crave. The call to Christ is a call to abandon the purposes of life that have been our focus so that we can embrace the purposes that God has set for us. You cannot experience the life of God until you turn from the life you had without him.

Romans 12:1-2 spells out clearly what God wants from us. “I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” What do you know about the sacrifices of the Old Testament? The sacrifice was slaughtered and burned on the altar. That is the call of God on us – to lay down our lives as sacrifices to him. We are dead to sin, to the world, to life without God.

But we are not like the Old Testament sacrifices. We are not dead animals, we are living sacrifices. We lay down our lives as sacrifices and we receive the life of Christ. We are transformed into new beings by the life that Jesus Christ gives us. Galatians 2:20 builds on this concept. “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” We have been crucified, but we are not dead. Jesus Christ now lives in us. Every time I baptized, I quote Romans 6:4. “We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.” We die to self, crucified with Christ on the cross and then are raised to walk a new life, a life of obedience to the purposes of the Father.

So, my friend, have you experienced that which is demanded in the New Testament? Have you died with Christ, died to the world and its passions, to sin and the flesh? Have you been raised to a new life in which the glory of God and his purposes drive your life? There are no blessings, no powers, no spiritual growth promised to anyone but those who die with Christ and then deny themselves daily to follow him. Please do not listen to the false teachings of American false religion that tells you that you can have the blessing and power of God to serve your own purposes. It just doesn’t work that way.

What are the purposes of God? Come back next time and we will examine those.

Swine Flu Symptom Check - IMPORTANT

2009-08-29T20:34:00.000-05:00

If you wake up looking like this - get help!

What Ministry is Becoming

2009-08-29T20:17:00.003-05:00

Enjoy this video. It is everything youth ministry (all ministry - when the emphasis is on the star-quality of the minister and not on the glory of God) is becoming that it should not be. Check it out.

(Note: this is a parody and there are some things in it that are wholly inappropriate. But I believe it clearly reveals where much of ministry is headed today, and so I put this up)

Significant Servants, August 23, 2009

2009-08-26T00:14:00.003-05:00

Have you ever looked at a “stereogram?” That is one of those psychedelic 3-D pictures that you have to stare at blankly to find another picture hidden in the background. For a long time I was sure that it was just a cruel joke someone was playing on unsuspecting schnooks like me. I stared and stared, but no picture appeared. Then, one day, it happened. I was staring at the silly picture and suddenly I saw a guy on a surfboard riding a wave. I was part of the club. I could see stereograms. Actually, they nauseate me and give me a headache, but I can see them now. To see a stereogram, you have to look past the details to find the pattern behind the picture.

In this study, we are trying to see a genuine pattern in the way God does his great works here on earth. We will be examining the significant servants of God throughout the Bible and asking ourselves what we must do to become like them; to serve our God in power and accomplish significant work in his name. If we can find a pattern in the great works of God and translate it to our lives today, we can hope to see the power of the Living God at work in us and in our world, much as they did.

Finding these patterns is a dangerous business. It is easy to miss the pattern God has put there or to read our own ideas and desires into the text and call that the pattern. We do not get to do that. God is in charge and we do not get to mold him into what we want him to be. We must look for how the real and living God works. We must examine the “ways of God.”

That term, the “ways of God” describes certain patterns in the way God deals with human beings. God’s always acts in line with his glorious character. He is always holy, always righteous, always merciful, always sovereign. That is who he is. Because God is unchanging and always acts in line with his perfect character, there are patterns in the way that he works. Our job is to carefully and prayerfully examine the scriptures, especially those great works of God revealed there, to discover the “ways of God.”

I believe that such a pattern exists. For several years, I read through the Bible every year, using the One Year Bible. Then, on October 1, 2000, I began a series at my church in Cedar Rapids called, “Through the Bible – Hopefully before Jesus Returns.” Every Sunday night we worked our way book by book through the Old Testament. That’s as far as I got. In August of 2005, the last Sunday before I moved to Sioux City, I finished the Old Testament. In the midst of that trek, I began to see a pattern emerging in the activity of God. It is that pattern that I want to share in this study.

A Common Mistake

As we attempt to define and apply this pattern, there is a common mistake that we must avoid. People have often looked at one or two acts of God and extrapolated a pattern from this inadequate evidence. When God wanted to defeat Jericho, he gave Joshua a battle plan – walk around once a day for six days, then seven times on the seventh day. That was the method that God used. It was not meant as a pattern of victory. When I pastored in Virginia, I would drive into Lynchburg to visit hospitals. On the way, there was a little church up on a hill. One of my deacons told me a story about that church. Their pastor had found another piece of property he thought they should move to, so he gathered everyone together and instituted the “Jericho” plan. They walked around the property once a day for six days, then seven times on the seventh day, claiming the land in the name of Jesus Christ. They did not get the land. Why? They tried to use a method of God as a pattern of God’s blessing.

Henry Blackaby has rightly pointed out that God never did the same thing the same way twice. He always acts according to his character, but he never repeats his methods. There was only one burning bush. Moses was only told to strike a rock once to make water flow. In fact, the next time, God told him to speak to the rock and Moses struck it anyway. (He must have been Baptist. I can just hear him telling people, “That’s the way we’ve always done it!)

We often think that the power of God is in the method God used, so we try to replicate successful programs and strategies, thinking that in doing that we can also replicate the release of God’s power. It usually does not work. My beloved Southern Baptist Convention is, I am convinced, the undisputed world champions of method-replication. One of our flagship churches, First Baptist Church of Daytona, Florida, developed an evangelism program that worked very well for them. They called it FAITH. It was a Sunday School based outreach program using their own evangelism presentation. It worked very well for them. Then, our convention got a hold of it and for a couple of years, they pressured all of us to use the program. “If it worked in Daytona, it will work for you.” Thousands of churches tried to repeat the success that the Daytona church had. Generally, it fell pretty flat. I have no doubt that it was a great program for Daytona. But we keep thinking that replicating programs and methods will replicate the power of God. It just doesn’t seem to work that way.

Moses never went around giving motivational speeches on “How to Find Your Burning Bush.” Joshua did not copyright and mass-produce a curriculum called “The Walk-Around Strategy” for military victory. They realized that God’s methods were not meant to be universalized and mimicked. They were individual works of God. We have identified sixteen individual works of God. In those works you will see almost no repetition of methods. Fire from heaven? Once. A flood? Only one time. A virgin-born child? Never repeated. Our God has infinite creativity and does not need to repeat his methods. When we try to enforce methodological conformity, we actually hinder and do not promote the work of God.

I have heard more than one church act as if all they have to do is switch from hymns to a praise band and contemporary music and they will magically begin growing. It have heard others say, with just as much conviction, that all we have to do is go back to the hymns, the way we worshipped in the fifties, and all will be well. Some lionize the methods and strategies of days gone by and see success only through the eyes of nostalgia. Others feel like all we have to do is throw off the bondage of the past and adopt new methods and strategies and we will reach a new generation. Both of these ideas miss the truth. It is not the method, not the program, not the strategy that makes the difference. It is the power of God that we need. We can imitate successful churches, we can mimic successful programs, we can adopt successful strategies; none of these will make the ultimate difference. What we need is the presence and power of the God of Heaven displayed among us. That cannot be replicated in a curriculum.

But, make no mistake. I believe there is a pattern in the way God works. God always works on the basis of his character. He does not repeat methods, but there is a biblical pattern in the way he works among mankind. We can look past the methods and discern the stereogram behind the methods. We can see certain things that God did and certain things that he required of human beings so that certain results could happen in the live of God’s servants.

It is not some magical process with easy, simple steps. There is no mantra you can chant, no simple genuflections that will bring the activity of God. But there is a process we can follow. God’s great works followed a distinct pattern. If we will follow the pattern, we can expect to see the powerful working of God in our lives. We can become Significant Servants in the cause of Christ.

Identifying the Pattern

How do we identify the repeatable pattern and distinguish it from the simple methods? We must define what constitutes a pattern in the ways of God. If God did something once, that is certainly not a pattern. If he did something two or three times, that might be an indicator that a pattern exists, but it is not enough to establish a pattern. A pattern should be determined on incontrovertible evidence. In every one of the great acts of God the pattern should be either stated or at least implied clearly. It must be a consistent, repeated pattern that is in evidence in every (or almost every) great work of God.

A Bad Example

Let’s look at how not to do this. In Exodus 14:13-14, God is about to do one of his greatest works. As Israel stands on the banks of the Red Sea with certain death in front of them in the form of Pharaoh’s army, Moses gives them a message from God. “And Moses said to the people, ‘Fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will work for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall never see again. The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to be silent.’” Israel had to do nothing but watch God work. They were commanded by God to stand still and watch God work. I have heard that preached as a pattern in the ways of God. Pray, then stand still and see God go to work.

This “pattern” is buttressed in 2 Chronicles 20, a story about Judah’s King Jehoshaphat coming under attack. A prophet delivered this message from God in verse 15, a message that echoes Moses words in Exodus 14. “Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed at this great horde, for the battle is not yours but God’s.” He expands on this in verse 17. “You will not need to fight in this battle. Stand firm, hold your position, and see the salvation of the Lord on your behalf, O Judah and Jerusalem.’ Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed. Tomorrow go out against them, and the Lord will be with you.” Voila, there it is! A clear pattern, right? We should always stand back, do nothing and wait for God to work.

But, there is a problem. Yes, in two situations God clearly tells his people to sit back, do nothing and watch God work. But there is more to it than that. There are times when God may want to show his power to us and tell us to sit back and watch him work. I experienced that one time. A lady in my Cedar Rapids church called me about a situation in her family, asking me to help her resolve it. But as we prayed and talked together, we both became convinced that God was burdening our hearts that we should “stand still” and watch him work. He did. The next day she called me, excited. We had done nothing but pray and God had brought a clear resolution to the situation. Sometimes, God seems to work that way.

But this is not a pattern in the ways of God. There are other times when God does not tell his people to stand still and watch, but gives them an interesting act of obedience to perform. We have talked much of Joshua and the walls of Jericho. God gave the people an act of obedience to perform and when they did that he worked in power. Gideon was told to pare his army down to 300 men and then take pitchers, trumpets and lanterns to attack the enemy. Hardly “War College” strategy, is it? But they did what God said and God displayed his power. There have been times when I have sense God calling me to do something that made little sense, but when I did what he said, the blessing came.

And sometimes, God just made the people go to war with the promise of his power. In fact, most of the time that is exactly what happened. In the first battle, God told Joshua to walk around Jericho. But in every other battle the people actually had to pick up swords and spears and go out and fight in the name of Yahweh. God empowered them to victory in the battle. When Sennacherib’s army came against Hezekiah, he encouraged the people of God with these words found in 2 Chronicles 32:8, “With him is an arm of flesh, but with us is the Lord our God, to help us and to fight our battles.” And the people took confidence from the words of Hezekiah king of Judah.” This time, there was no sitting back and watching God work. And there was no act of token obedience. This time they had to fight the battle – bloody, violent warfare.

Is there a pattern in all these examples? Yes, I believe that there is. But it is not the ones that we often draw. We cannot tell people that they should always stand still and watch God work. That’s not the way God does it all the time. Sometimes, an act of token obedience might be required. Often, we will have to go out to battle in the name of Jesus and face down the enemies of God in that way. But whatever the method, we can depend on God to provide the victory. There is only one common theme in all these passages; one clear pattern in the ways of God. Obedience. God’s people had to do what God said. When they obeyed him, God revealed his mighty power. The key to any pattern in the ways of God is obedience.

So, what we are looking for is a clear, consistent, uncontroverted pattern in the ay God works. In every one of the sixteen great acts of God, you should see this pattern either spelled out or clearly implied. If God did something several times, it’s a method which he may or may not use. If God consistently acts a certain way, it becomes a pattern.

We are going to look at, in this study, what I believe are five steps in the pattern of power; five clearly defined aspects of the way that God displays his power through human beings. I will give you an overview of this pattern, then we will look at each aspect individually. My goal continues to be that every one of us will learn how we can become Significant Servants, experiencing the power of God as we do his work.

The Pattern

The important thing to remember is that pattern for divine power begins and ends with God. There is something required of us if we want to see God at work in our lives, but the process does not start with us. It is God’s power, God’s purposes and God’s plan that are primary in all the great acts of God. While we study what we must do it is important that we also remember that ultimately, it all depends on him.

The First Step

The first step in the process is the revelation of the purpose of God. Since Creation, there are certain purposes that God has been working out in this world. He works in all things to glorify himself. He displays his power in this world to redeem a people for himself and transform them to be like Jesus Christ. He is always at work to accomplish his eternal purposes.

When God appeared to Noah, he revealed his purpose. “I am going to judge the world.” To Abram, God said that he wanted to make him the father of many nations, bless him greatly and bless the world through him. He told Moses that he was ready to deliver the people from their bondage in Egypt. In each of these situations, God revealed his purpose to the man he was going to use to carry out that purpose.

There are certain purposes which seem to govern all of what God does on this earth. There are other times when the purpose is more specific. But God is always at work to accomplish his sovereign purposes on this earth. Amos 3:7 makes an interesting statement. “For the Lord God does nothing without revealing his secret to his servants the prophets.” God reveals himself to his people as he prepares to do his work.

We will examine the purposes of God here on earth and learn how we can bring ourselves in line with them. We must bring our lives onto God’s agenda; to work in line with the eternal purposes of God. God does not release his power so that we can accomplish our own desires or ambitions. He displays his power through his servants for his own purposes.

The Second Step

In each of the stories mentioned above, there was a second part to what God revealed. First, he revealed his own purpose. Then, he revealed his plan for the man he intended to use. His purpose was to flood the earth. The plan was for Noah to build a boat. God’s purpose was to rescue Israel. God’s plan was for Moses to go to Egypt to face Pharaoh. God reveals his plan and then shows us what our part in that plan is.

I have been told often that a good leader today needs creativity and the ability to innovate. That sounds great, but it is not a concept I find in scripture. There is not a single story I can find where God appears to anyone and says, “Here’s what I want to do. Do you have any good ideas how I can make it happen?” He did not ask Noah how big the boat should be. He did not consult Joshua for his ideas about a war strategy. God revealed both the purpose and the method.

That is going to be hard for many of us to accept. We want God to bless our ideas. God seems to want us to obey him. He had infinite creativity and the ability to come up with brilliant plans to accomplish his work. We need to read scripture to find God’s ways. We cannot improve on the way God wants things done no matter how modern we think our ideas are. And we cannot improve on the work of the Holy Spirit within us guiding us to the plans God has for us. Our job is not primarily to figure things out, but to seek God and do what he says.

The Third Step

It is here that the problem develops for a lot of believers. In the third step, the servant must decide whether he will serve. We must respond to God’s purposes and plans. God revealed his plan to Abraham, telling him to go to Mt. Moriah and sacrifice his beloved son Isaac. Genesis 22:3 says that early the next morning, Abraham set out on the trip. Moses argued with God for a while, but then packed up and headed to Egypt. Gideon took the army out to face the Midianites. They obeyed God. That is the key response any human being must have if we want to see the glory and power of God.

Americans have developed a widespread but false religion. Church-going folks all over this land believe that they can live and they please, ignore God’s will and ways, embrace the ways of sin and still expect God to bless them when they have a need. Look at how the prophets define a false prophet. A false prophet was someone who offered people peace with God and blessing from him without requiring repentance and obedience. Any prophet who told people that they could continue in their sin and still expect the blessing of God was condemned as a lying prophet.

The same principle is true today. Do not expect to see the power of God at work in your life if you do not submit yourself to him. As a matter of fact, there is only one kind of person who can expect the power of God – a dead person. Romans 6:4, which I quote every time I baptize someone, makes it clear. “We were buried with Christ by baptism into death, then raised to walk a new life in him.” It is only when we die with Christ that we can expect a new life in his power. In Romans 12:1, Paul told us to present our bodies as living sacrifices. Jesus told us to take up our crosses to follow him. Both of those figures imply death.

It is only when I die to my life, to my own will, my own ambitions, my own plans and dreams that I can hope to experience the power of God. He does not work to make us successful in the lives we want to have. He works to use us in the life he has prepared for us. If you want the life of God you must die to self. Its just that simple.

The Fourth Step

This is the step that has sometimes tripped me up. When I submit to God, I expect everything to work out immediately. But Abraham had to wait 25 years for the promise of God to come true. Moses herded sheep for forty years until God showed up. Joseph was told he would be a ruler, but went through 13 years of betrayal and imprisonment before God elevated him to the place he had prepared for him.

After we yield to God’s purposes and plans for us, there is often a time of testing. During this time, circumstances will often conspire to call the word of God into question and make it seem like what he said must not be coming true. This is where the second key quality of the Significant Servant is revealed. The first key quality is obedience. The second is perseverance. The servant of God must do what he says. Then, he must continue doing it when it gets hard, when it seems like God’s word has failed, when everyone around him thinks he has lost his mind. He must persevere in the will of God, disregarding circumstances until God brings the harvest, until God fulfills his word.

The Fifth Step

When God reveals his purposes and his plans for us, when we do what God says and keep doing it when it gets hard, that is when the power of God will be revealed in us. We become Significant Servants by yielding our lives completely to Christ, dying to self and living to God, whatever comes.

That is the pattern that I see in scriptures. We will examine each of these in detail in coming chapters. These are not easy steps. In essence, they require everything we are and have. But if we wish to be significant servants in the kingdom of God, this is the irreducible minimum. We cannot see the power of God until we die to self. We cannot walk in sin and God’s power at the same time. My hope and prayer is that you will decide to present your body to God as a living sacrifice; the only acceptable act of worship any of us can really give. Then, you will stop conforming to this world and experience God’s transformational power. You can become a significant servant for the glory of God.

WOW! Words of Wisdom from "Between the Times"

2009-08-19T10:54:00.000-05:00

If you only have time to read one blog (after you finish mine, of course) that blog almost certainly should be "Between the Times." I read something by Bruce Ashford on that blog today that was classic. He was talking about Christian Bookstores (I use the term loosely). Talking about Augustine, he said,

Another reason might be that the local bookstores don’t even have an Augustine section (True, Barnes & Noble and Borders carry books by Augustine, but Christian bookstores rarely do. The Christian stores are up to their necks in sales of Precious Moments figurines, tester tubes of anointing oil, boxes of Test-a-mints, and tee-shirts with inscriptions like “I’m Cross-Eyed.”)

Wow! Christian bookstores sell more Christian junk than they do serious books. Probably says something abou the tastes of modern Christians, right?

Significant Servants, August 16, 2009

2009-08-19T00:10:00.006-05:00

(This is a new sermon series I am beginning. I am hoping to manuscript this and put the messages up here on a weekly basis. We'll see how it goes.)

Some Significant Servants

God made us for his glory, but we chose sin instead of submission. As humanity spread out across the earth, idolatry and wickedness abounded. Finally, God had enough. He decided to send a flood on the earth to judge the widespread sin. But he was not through with humanity, he was only starting over. So, God appeared to one lonely man, one righteous man among all the men of earth. God revealed his plans to Noah, and then assigned a job for him to do. It was no easy job. “I want you to build a boat.” And this was one big boat – 450 feet long, 75 feet wide and 45 feet high. That is one and a half football fields long (we Americans always measure things in football-field units). And remember, there was no Home Depot available to him for materials. Every board had to be cut down and shaped by hand. It was a long and difficult job.

We can only imagine what others thought of Noah as he built. According to scripture, it did not rain and yet Noah was predicting a flood that would cover the earth and destroy all things. But Noah was not distracted, nor was he discouraged. He did not give up. He kept on doing the job God gave him day after day. When the time was right, God sent the animals to Noah and the floods to the earth.

What did Noah do? Exactly what God told him to do. What did Noah accomplish? By being obedient and faithfully obeying God, Noah preserved the entire human race to give humanity a new beginning, a fresh start.

Abraham

Abraham was a man of means, and evidently a good man, but at age 75 he had done little that would make him an important historical figure. He did not even have children to carry on his name. He would have lived and died without ever making a difference in this world if it had not been for a fateful day when God appeared to him. God told him to leave home, leave family and go to the new land which God would show him.

That is when God told him the kicker. God was not only sending him to a new home, but he was going to make Abraham the father of many nations. He was going to pour out his rich blessings on this elderly, childless man in ways Abraham could not imagine. And, God said, Abraham and his seed were going to be a blessing to the entire world. God was going to use an obscure nomad to bless the entire world.

What did Abraham have to do? Obey. He had to leave home and go where God told him to go. When God asked him, he had to be willing to give up the one thing he loved most in the world, his son Isaac. Abraham did what God said, and God made him into one of the most important figures in world history and blessed him as the father of many nations. The blessing that Abraham received has been passed on, for from him was born the Messiah, the one anointed by God to die for our sins and bring us to God. If you are a believer today, you live in the blessing of Abraham. What did the desert dweller of Ur accomplish? He blessed the entire world.

Moses

Moses was one of the tragic failures of history. Born to a Hebrew slave and adopted by the daughter of the Pharaoh of Egypt, he was in a unique position to help his people. It seems likely that his mother, hired by Pharaoh’s daughter as Moses’ nurse, must have told him exactly who he was. Moses knew God had put him in a place of influence to use him in a powerful way. And he blew it; blew it bad. Enamored of his own abilities, depending on his own wisdom and abilities, he struck down an Egyptian and had to flee for his life. He spent the next 40 years herding sheep in Egypt, ruminating about what might have been, on how much he could have accomplished, if he hadn’t blown it so bad.

Then, one day, God showed up; in a bush, a bush that was blazing with fire but not being consumed. And he revealed to Moses what he was planning to do. It was time to rescue Israel, to bring them out of their bondage and into the Promised Land. I am sure Moses was thrilled to hear that the time had come for Israel to be delivered. He was not thrilled when God told him his part in the plan. Moses was argued with God, offering five different excuses why God had chosen the wrong man. But God revealed his name to Moses – “I Am that I Am” the Great I Am, the self-existent God of the universe with all power, all glory and all ability. And Moses trusted him. He trusted and obeyed. There is no such thing as genuine trust that does not lead to obedience. He left his home in the desert and headed down to Egypt to face the Pharaoh.

When he got there, everything went wrong and within a day he was the enemy of Pharaoh and anathema to all the Hebrews. But he did not stop. He kept going to Pharaoh and demanding that he let the people of God go free – one lonely man trying to tell the most powerful man in the world what to do.

But you know the rest of the story. That one lonely man had the power of God working on his behalf. Ten Plagues, culminating in the Death Angel ravaging Egypt, convinced Pharaoh to release the Hebrews. Then, when their backs were to the sea and Pharaoh’s army was descending on them, when certain death awaited them, God did something spectacular; a miracle perhaps only topped by raising Jesus from the dead. He parted the Red Sea, brought Israel through on dry ground and wiped out the enemy completely.

What did Moses do? He did exactly what God told him to do. What happened? God did amazing miracles, demonstrating his power not only to his people, but to the whole world.

Joshua

Joshua stood at the edge of the raging Jordan, and instructed the people of God how they were going to cross the flooding river. Four men were to take the ark, which represented the Presence of God, and were to walk into the Jordan – a suicidal act. But no one died that day. They did exactly as God said; they stepped down into the river and God made his own invisible dam, piling the water as it flowed from the north.

Not many days later, Joshua stood again outside Jericho, wondering how on earth they were going to defeat that walled city. The Angel of the Lord appeared to him with a battle plan. Joshua was to lead the people of God around Jericho once a day for six day, then seven times on the seventh day – not a plan most military institutes would recommend. But that is just what Joshua did. And, when they finished their thirteenth trip around Jericho, the walls came a-tumbling down and God’s people were victorious.

Joshua was a slave, an insignificant, worthless nobody. But when God called him, he responded. He did what God told him to do and God used him in to display his awesome power.

Others

Samuel listened when God called and was used to lead the people of Israel back to God. David went boldly where God sent him, even to face Goliath. Solomon built the temple exactly as God told him and the glory of the Lord filled the temple. Elijah and Elisha put themselves in God’s hands. They went where God sent them, did as God commanded and said what God told them to say. On Mt. Carmel, the fire of God fell! Hezekiah led the people in revival. Zerubbabel, Ezra and Nehemiah led Israel back from captivity and rebuilt a nation. All of them did what God said and saw God work.

And then, nothing! For 400 years God was silent until the day that Jesus was born. He lived in perfect obedience every moment of his life, right up until the moment he submitted himself to the Father’s eternal plan and he gave his life on the cross. Death could not hold him and he rose again, victorious over death and hell.

The Disciples

After forty days with his disciples, he was carried up into heaven and God went to work again. Jesus had gathered around himself a pitiful band of malcontents, misfits and outcasts – not a genius among them. And they were uniform in their cowardice. When Jesus needed them most, they all ran away and hid.

But, as pathetic as they were, they did the one thing that really matters, they gave themselves to Jesus. Jesus was their life. And one day, everything changed for the 12 disciples and the other followers of Christ. Gathered together in an Upper Room, God sent the Holy Spirit and baptized every one of them. They became the leaders of a spiritual shock-and-awe offensive from heaven that turned the world upside down in 30 years. This obscure Jewish sect became a worldwide movement in one generation.

They were not talented men. They were average; perhaps, a little below average. But they gave themselves to Jesus and Jesus demonstrated himself through them.

Two Facts

I would like to make two statements of fact. I think they are obvious to any who would wish to look at the evidence. First of all, the Bible is filled with stories of God acting in power through average and ordinary folks, displaying his power through them. God did big things in the Bible. He performed mighty acts of power. He used insignificant, average people to do extraordinary things. People like you and me ended up doing things that no one could imagine.

Here’s my second statement of fact. We do not see much of that kind of power today. Oh, there are big name televangelists who have these big stadium shows, but I continue to believe that most of that is about as real as Penn and Teller or Criss Angel. Magician’s tricks. We have impressive church CEO’s who build megachurches by the force of their personality and organizational skill, but this can hardly be compared to the amazing acts of God in biblical days. We often substitute human effort, organization, strategy and promotion, even manipulation, instead of the mighty work of God.

In this new study, we are going to examine a crucial question. Why? Why is it that we do not see the power of God in these days as they did in the days of scripture? Think about the most amazing act of God you have ever seen. How did it compare to the amazing works recorded in scripture? If we are honest, I think most of us will admit that there is a huge gap between what we see and what the people of biblical days saw.

Three Explanations for the Absence of Power

I see three options to explain this.

First, some would suggest that the stories of the Bible are just fictional accounts, meant to communicate spiritual truth, but not meant to be taken as literal or historical accounts. We know that Jack Sprat and his wife worked together, using their special talents, to get the job done. But no one tries to do historical or archaeological research on the story. Its just a nursery rhyme. There are some who treat Bible stories that way. We can learn lessons from the stories of the Bible, but we should not real life to mimic that in these fictional accounts.

That is a solution I do not accept. I believe the stories of the Bible are true from beginning to end. I believe God created the world by the word of his mouth. I believe Noah road out the flood on an ark he built. I believe the Red Sea parted, the Jordan stopped, Jericho’s walls crumbled and the fire fell from heaven on Elijah’s offering. I believe Jesus walked on water, fed 5000, healed the sick and raised the dead. So, by faith as well as by the reason of the evidence I have, I believe that the Bible stories are accounts of real events that happened to real people who served a real God.

There is a second option, one I was taught in seminary. Many believe that the age of the miraculous, the time when God did things like he did them in the biblical days is over. Sometimes, they say the end came with the destruction of the temple in AD 70 and the elimination of the Jewish nation. Others claim the end came when the canon of scripture was completed and the miraculous was no longer necessary. It is not right, they say, to expect that God would do the same miracles now that he did then.

I think there is some wisdom in what these folks (called cessationists) say. I believe there was a special release of God’s power on a grand scale at certain times. The bulk of scripture covers a 2000 year period (Abraham to the time of Christ). During that 2000 years, most of the spectacular miracles of the Bible took place in three relatively short time frames. The greatest of the miracles took place during the Exodus and the Conquest of Canaan, a period that lasted well less than 100 years. Then, when Israel departed from YHWH to worship idols, God sent prophets like Elijah and Elisha to warn them, and did many miracles through those two men. Finally, most of the New Testament takes place during a relatively short period of time – about 35 years from the ministry of Christ through the end of Paul’s ministry. Even if you go back to Christ’s birth and forward to the Revelation at the end of the first century, we are only talking about 100 years.

In other times, God did miracles, just not with the frequency or dramatic intensity of those three times. But, God still acted in power. The people of God saw the power of God on a regular basis. And there is no scripture that tells us that we should expect the powerful activity of God to end. Should we not expect some kind of verse in 2 Timothy saying, “Thou shalt expect that miracles will end as soon as each apostle dieth. When the last apostle dieth, the flow of God’s power shutteth off.” If the constant display of the power of God seen from Genesis to Revelation was going to end, shouldn’t we have been given some sort of clear warning?

There is one other option. In just about every miracle God did in the Bible, he involved a human being. There was something the human being had to do before the miracle took place. Obviously, the power is God’s. The will is God’s. But he has chosen to include us and our obedient responses in the work he does. Noah had to build the boat. Abraham had to leave home and go where God said. Later, he put his own son on the altar as God commanded. Moses had to go to Egypt. God revealed himself then made a demand of obedience to the person he was working with. The power of God was only released when the man of God did what God said.

Is it possible that there is something required of us that we are not doing? Is it possible that if we wish to see the power of God as they did in Bible days that we must respond in obedience as they did in Bible days – putting their lives at risk to do what God told them to do. Is there a pattern we can see in the way God works, a pattern we could emulate today so that the power of God might be released in us?

I believe that there is. I believe that as we examine the great works of God in both the Old Testament and the New Testament, we will see a clear pattern emerge. Its not a simple pattern or an easy one. We will not see “Five Easy Steps to Miraculous Power.” But I do believe there is a pattern in the activity of God that we can discern and follow. If we do as they did, perhaps we can expect to begin to see the same God who worked in them at work in us!

Great Works of God

What are these great works of God from which we will derive our pattern? I would mention fifteen of them, though we could probably add more. The first great work of God was done through Noah and The Flood. We will then examine Abraham and the founding of the miraculous nation of Israel and follow that with Joseph and the rescue of Israel. The next great works were the grand works of the Exodus, followed by the Conquest of Canaan. During the period of the Judges, God acted powerfully through Gideon to save Israel from the Midianites. Later, Samuel heard God and led Israel in a great revival. We will examine David and the founding of Israel’s Messianic line, and Solomon’s building of the Temple on which the Glory of God fell. Many years later, Hezekiah led Judah in a revival that staved off God’s judgment for many years. After the judgment fell, God still worked. He worked powerfully through Daniel and his three friends, and then used Ezra, Nehemiah and others to bring Israel back to the land. In the New Testament era, we can look at Pentecost and the establishment of the church and how the church obeyed the Great Commission.

I believe that as we examine these, we will see a definite pattern develop.

Three Essential Elements

In each of these stories you will see three essential elements. We will actually spell out more than three, but these are the essential and fundamental elements of the activity of God in scripture.

First, we will see God reveal his purpose. Every work of God is initiated in the heart of God. He did not appear to Noah to ask Noah for his ideas about how to handle things. God was working out his sovereign purpose and revealed that to Noah. God is the one who initiates things. God only blesses what he initiates.

Second, we will see God demand a response of obedience from those whom he includes in his work. What would have happened if Moses did not go to Egypt? I don’t know. I imagine God would have found someone else. But the fact is, God did not appear magically to Pharaoh. He called on Moses to represent him. Every great work of God requires an act of obedience by some human being. I do not know why God has chosen to work this way, but it is clear that he has.

Finally, when God reveals his purpose and someone responds in complete obedience, God responds in mighty power. Divine initiation followed by human obedience brings the release of God’s sovereign power.

My Thesis

Many Christians today have accepted the idea that it is okay to live insignificant Christian lives. They can go to church, sit in the pews and go about enjoying life in this world without worrying about Kingdom work. It is a lie. God never intended for Christians to squander their lives in worldly pursuits. We are meant to serve God in significant ways.

My hope is that everyone who reads this will pray this prayer. “Lord, help me to examine your scriptures and see how I can become a Significant Servant to you.”

Blogging about Something Important: The New York Yankees

2009-08-13T17:03:00.000-05:00

Blogging about the SBC can get old. But blogging about the New York Yankees NEVER gets old. So, I've set up a new blog, for all you Yankee fans out there. We will devote ourselves to talking about the greatest single sports team in all of history, the New York Yankees, and their march to their 27th World Series Championship in 2009.

You are welcome to come and comment, though comments by Red Sox fans (even intelligent ones - if there is such a thing) may be deleted or ridiculed mercilessly by the blog administrator!

NAMB? Whatever.

Baptist Identity? Who Cares?

The New York Yankees - theres something we can rejoice about!

Here's the link: http://iowayankees.blogspot.com

Go Ahead, Make Fun Now!

2009-08-13T17:00:00.003-05:00

Go ahead! Have your fun! I already get teased for having four blogs. Now, I have five. This one is close to my heart!

On this blog, we will discuss the greatest team in sports history, the New York Yankees, on their way to a 27th World Championship in 2009.

You are welcome to comment, but I reserve the right to delete hateful Red Sox' comments - or, frankly, any comment by a Red Sox Fan, whether hateful or now.

http://iowayankees.blogspot.com

Chapman, Akin Et Al: A Pleasing Dissension in the SBC

2009-07-08T15:54:00.000-05:00

I have never been a fan of church splits. I have argued often for bloggers to seek unity rather than division in our discussion (and violated my own rules from time to time). But I think the current discussion and even disagreement among our convention leaders can be a healthy thing.

Press reports recently have showed that while Danny Akin, Al Mohler and most other leaders in the SBC are gung-ho behind the Great Commission Resurgence, Morris Chapman and several other denominational leaders are either opposing it or raising serious questions about it. My own state exec (Jimmy Barrentine - best exec in the USA)sent a letter that was critical of much of the rhetoric surrounding the GCR declaration. I am fully supportive of the GCR, but those who are not should have their say and be heard by all of us.

Put me down as someone who believes this is all healthy. I don't want the executives or denominational servants marching in lock step or having secret discussions behind closed doors. If Danny Akin is for something and Morris Chapman is against it, lets have a healthy debate! If the GCR is of God, as I believe, the Spirit will guide us through the discussion to a healthy and unified conclusion.

The last thing we need to do is stifle dissent in any way, even amongst our leaders.

As long as we keep our conversation godly and our spirits in check, that discussion is healthy. As long as we do not slander, backbite or treat one another disdainfully, the discussion will provoke us to love and good deeds.

I just hope it doesn't become another us against them thing. Jimmy Barrentine and I do not see eye to eye on this, evidently (haven't talked to him about it). But he is an "us" not a "them." Morris Chapman is "us" - even as a Calvinist I can say that.

So, I say, let the debate continue. I think it is healthy for all of us.

A Great Moment in Baseball History

2009-07-04T09:40:00.002-05:00

When has a Chicago Cub ever done something this noble?

The Best Preaching Ever?

2009-05-23T21:04:00.000-05:00

You've probably heard this before, but this is what preaching is supposed to be!

Adam Lambert, Kris Allen, and the Art of Preaching

2009-05-21T21:55:00.000-05:00

My sixteen-year-old daughter got me hooked on American Idol this year. I just used to watch the try-out shows when people who shouldn't sing in the church choir embarrassed themselves for my amusement. But this year, Bethany (and a DVR) got me watching all but a couple of episodes.

Last night, an amazing thing happened. The underdog, Kris Allen, pulled off the upset and beat the heavily favored Adam Lambert. Today, post-mortem examinations are being done. Many are criticizing the choice and are trying to figure out how this could happen.

I have a theory. Adam is an amazing singer. He is a once in a generation talent. But there was always a sense that he was "in character" - acting out a certain role. About the only thing Simon ever criticized him for was being over-dramatic. He's polished, but plastic. He amazed, but did not connect.

Kris is also a talented singer. His church in Conroy was blessed to have him on the worship team. But, he probably was not the talented singer that Adam was. But he connected. You felt like he was real, an average guy with golden pipes. He did not seem to be acting a part, but was just being his own talented self.

That's my armchair analysis. Kris won because he connected with people, because voters sensed his authenticity, integrity, and reality. He was himself and we liked that.

Now, what does that have to do with preaching? I believe that it is important when we proclaim God's Word that we do more than just give an eloquent pulpit performance. We should study and prepare to accurately communicate the Word. But we also need to be real. We need to communicate God's truth with integrity and authenticity.

I've seen a lot of Adam Lamberts in the pulpit - people with amazing homiletic skills, but you didn't sense it was real. We need to strive to preach Kris Allen messages - the simple truths of God's Word from real men with real struggles in real lives.

Keeping It Simple!

2009-05-04T22:59:00.004-05:00

I had to wash my hair. It seemed unfair – I was on vacation after all. I figured I was clean and didn’t need a shower. I spent an hour in the chlorinated pool. Chlorine bleach is a cleanser, right? How much cleaner can I be? But the chlorine had turned my hair to straw, so it seemed best to hit the shower for a shampoo.

Thats not such a big deal at my house. I buy a large jug of shampoo at Sam's and use it till it runs out. But I was a guest and the bathroom had a collection of shampoos. And that was where the problem started.

I remember when shampoo just cleaned hair. But none of the shampoos in the shower were satisfied with simple cleaning. They wanted to change my life. One shampoo promised to “amplify” my hair. I didn’t want big hair, just clean. Another assured me it could “correct and restructure” my hair. I like my hair. I don’t claim it is the best in the world, but does it need to be corrected? My grandpa was bald in high school, so since I am nearly 52 and still have hair which is only partially gray, I feel I am ahead of the game. Restructuring seems extreme. Another shampoo would “clarify” my hair. But isn’t clear hair about the same as bald? What is an old-fashioned old-fogy supposed to do? My hair is clean now; volumized, amplified, corrected, restructured, and clarified!

Only in America does someone need a doctorate to understand shampoo. I long for the days of “lather, rinse, repeat.”

What makes us take simple things and complicate them? We have complicated the Christian life as well. The Christian life may not be easy, but neither is it complicated.

God’s Word is amazing in both its beauty and its simplicity. Some scholars forget the doctrine of the simplicity of scripture. Because of the power of the Holy Spirit, you don’t need a degree to read God’s Word. You don’t need a secret decoder ring to understand its truth. Sound theology is built on a clear and simple reading of God’s Word.

Scripture is God-breathed and is therefore useful. It teaches us the ways of God – who he is, how he works, what he desires. It rebukes us when we go astray, showing us wrong doctrine or aberrant behavior. It does not just condemn a sinner, but corrects him, showing him how to leave the wrong path and return to the right one. Finally, God’s Word trains us in righteousness, teaching us to walk on the right path and break the old patterns of sin. That is the glory of God’s Simple Word.

When the Word does its work, we are prepared for every good work – ready to be all God wants us to be and do all God wants us to do.

Do you want to grow as a Christian? It is not complicated. Immerse yourself in God’s Word and the Holy Spirit goes to work. Read what God says about your life, then by the power of God’s Spirit, do it! God renews your mind with the truth and begins to change your behavior to conform you to the image of Christ. The Holy Spirit enables you to obey what God’s Word commands, and strengthens you to endure in obedience when things get tough.

Maybe I’d better take a shower after all. If only I can find some clarifying soap.

My Pregnant 15-year-old Daughter is a STAR!

2009-04-29T12:10:00.001-05:00

(I wish my camera took better pictures in low light - flash photography isn't allowed)

Bethany made her starring debut in "Rumors" a Neil Simon play last week. I have to admit that seeing her dressed up as a pregnant woman was disconcerting, as was her on-screen PDA with her husband, who I threatened to beat up after the show.

However, she was fantastic. Ben has always been the theatrical one in this family, now he has some competition.

She played "Cookie" a 30-year-old pregnant (trophy?) wife of a prominent 50-something psychologist.

I was proud not only of the job she did, but also of the character she displayed. The play has a lot of cussing. She wasn't going to try out, but the director took all the cuss words out of her part so she could do it.

My Pregnant 15-year-old Daughter is a STAR!

2009-04-29T12:10:00.000-05:00

(I wish my camera took better pictures in low light - flash photography isn't allowed)

However, she was fantastic. Ben has always been the theatrical one in this family, now he has some competition.

She played "Cookie" a 30-year-old pregnant (trophy?) wife of a prominent 50-something psychologist.

Ben Wins NATS

2009-04-29T11:53:00.001-05:00

Ben was one of the honors winners at the Lewis & Clark NATS (National Association of Teachers of Singers) competition up in Orange City at Northwestern College.

Sang the kind of high-falluting stuff I don't much get into, but is impressive nonetheless.

Ben Wins NATS

2009-04-29T11:53:00.000-05:00

The Mother Of All Baptists

2009-04-29T10:09:00.000-05:00

Baptists like to trace their history back to New Testament days. The unbroken line of baptistic groups is called “The Trail of Blood.” Recently, as I read my Bible, I discovered the actual origin of Baptists. No, it was not John the Baptist, or the Apostle Paul. I am convinced the roots of Baptist life can be found in Martha, sister of Lazarus and Mary; the Mother of All Baptists.

First, she was more comfortable with working for Him than waiting on Him. While Mary, probably a proto-charismatic, was sitting at the feet of Jesus basking in His presence, Martha was in the kitchen frying the chicken, and getting the Styrofoam plates and plastic forks ready. We have always been an active bunch, we Baptists. We are the worker bees of the Kingdom. Often, like Martha, we are more comfortable working for the Lord than walking with Him. As one denominational leader said, “Get out there and do something for God. Whatever. It doesn’t matter. Just do something.”

But notice something else in John 11:24. Martha’s brother Lazarus was dead and buried four days earlier. Finally, Jesus showed up. Martha thought he was running late, but Jesus was right on time. She gently remonstrated him, “If you had been here, he would not have died.” Then Jesus told her that her brother would rise again. She nodded and said, “I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.”

The mother of all Baptists. She believed in Jesus, and in His power to save souls and raise the dead. She just did not believe He would do it today. We believe in the finished work of Christ for the salvation of souls, and in the certainty of heaven, the resurrection, and eternal life. We have charts detailing the end times. We just struggle with believing that God will work His power in our lives today. We are great with the beginning and the ending of the Christian life, but can be a little challenged in between.

But, wonder of wonders, Jesus still loved Martha the Baptist. He told her who He was, and she believed Him. “I believe you are the Christ, the Son of God, who was to come into the world.” The Mother of All Baptists knew the Word, and confessed Jesus without shame or doubt.

But she was still the Mother of All Baptists. When they got to the tomb, Jesus told them to roll the stone away. “But, Lord,” Martha said. “That’s not the way we do things.” As the King James says, “Lo, he stinketh.” It is hard for us to step out of the normal and expected, the proper and respectable, to follow Jesus in a walk of faith. Jesus gave them a strange command. Roll away the stone. Sometimes, Jesus calls us to strange and difficult things. There is always that difficult step of obedience. We want God to open the door, then we will walk through. God calls us to walk through the door, trusting Him that it will open before we run into it. God told Israel to walk into the Jordan and then He would stop the river. We stand on the banks saying, “God, if you will stop this thing, I will walk through it.”

But God still worked. He showed His awesome power to the Mother of All Baptists. Is there any miracle greater than the raising of the dead? God raised Lazarus from death, and showed Martha that His power is still real. May we know His awesome power, and His presence.

Like our Mother, Martha.

The Mother of All Baptists

2009-04-29T09:54:00.004-05:00

Baptists like to trace their history back to New Testament days. The unbroken line of baptistic groups is called “The Trail of Blood.” Recently, as I read my Bible, I discovered the actual origin of Baptists. No, it was not John the Baptist, or the Apostle Paul. I am convinced the roots of Baptist life can be found in Martha, sister of Lazarus and Mary; the Mother of All Baptists.

First, she was more comfortable with working for Him than waiting on Him. While Mary, probably a proto-charismatic, was sitting at the feet of Jesus basking in His presence, Martha was in the kitchen frying the chicken, and getting the Styrofoam plates and plastic forks ready. We have always been an active bunch, we Baptists. We are the worker bees of the Kingdom. Often, like Martha, we are more comfortable working for the Lord than walking with Him. As one denominational leader said, “Get out there and do something for God. Whatever. It doesn’t matter. Just do something.”

But notice something else in John 11:24. Martha’s brother Lazarus was dead and buried four days earlier. Finally, Jesus showed up. Martha thought he was running late, but Jesus was right on time. She gently remonstrated him, “If you had been here, he would not have died.” Then Jesus told her that her brother would rise again. She nodded and said, “I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.”

The mother of all Baptists. She believed in Jesus, and in His power to save souls and raise the dead. She just did not believe He would do it today. We believe in the finished work of Christ for the salvation of souls, and in the certainty of heaven, the resurrection, and eternal life. We have charts detailing the end times. We just struggle with believing that God will work His power in our lives today. We are great with the beginning and the ending of the Christian life, but can be a little challenged in between.

But, wonder of wonders, Jesus still loved Martha the Baptist. He told her who He was, and she believed Him. “I believe you are the Christ, the Son of God, who was to come into the world.” The Mother of All Baptists knew the Word, and confessed Jesus without shame or doubt.

But she was still the Mother of All Baptists. When they got to the tomb, Jesus told them to roll the stone away. “But, Lord,” Martha said. “That’s not the way we do things.” As the King James says, “Lo, he stinketh.” It is hard for us to step out of the normal and expected, the proper and respectable, to follow Jesus in a walk of faith. Jesus gave them a strange command. Roll away the stone. Sometimes, Jesus calls us to strange and difficult things. There is always that difficult step of obedience. We want God to open the door, then we will walk through. God calls us to walk through the door, trusting Him that it will open before we run into it. God told Israel to walk into the Jordan and then He would stop the river. We stand on the banks saying, “God, if you will stop this thing, I will walk through it.”

But God still worked. He showed His awesome power to the Mother of All Baptists. Is there any miracle greater than the raising of the dead? God raised Lazarus from death, and showed Martha that His power is still real. May we know His awesome power, and His presence.

Like our Mother, Martha.

God's Feast of Joy

2009-04-23T16:46:00.003-05:00

It was perhaps the best object lesson ever. A youth minister had his group dress up. He picked them up in a limousine. They ate at a fancy restaurant. They toured the nice part of town. All day they reveled in the rich things of life. Then, he took them to “Mount Trashmore,” (the hill in the picture's background) the Cedar Rapids city dump. He looked at them and said, “Everything you saw today ends up here.” Wow.

In Isaiah 55, God issues an invitation to the people of Israel who had strayed so far from him. “Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat!” By his grace, God was inviting them to return to himself. He would give them water that would quench their thirst. He would give them bread that would feed them. It was a gift from him, given “without money and without cost.”

Then, God asks a question. “Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy?”

Has anything you bought ever truly satisfied your soul? Sure, it was a thrill when it was brand new; shining and bright. But it grows old, and the thrill is gone. That new car eventually rusts, clicks over a hundred thousand miles, and ends up in my driveway. That new house grows old. Things lose their luster and their excitement.

Does work really quench that thirst in your soul? Sure, its great when you get ahead, when you make the sale, when you land the new account. Recognition, status, power; they are a great rush. But then they have to be maintained. The exciting new job becomes drudgery.

One Saturday, years ago, the soccer team I coached (a local Christian school) won a big tournament. My son scored a goal in the last seconds of the game to tie it, and he won it in overtime with another goal. We were all sky high. I was a proud dad and coach. It was a great moment. But, a few days later, the excitement has died down a little. The euphoria was gone.

That is the way life is. You get thrills and joys, but they do not provide lasting satisfaction. The things of this earth never satisfy. Not really. Not eternally.

And yet, that is precisely what so many invest themselves in. We pursue the treasures of this earth, forgetting our Savior’s warning that you cannot serve God and money, that earthly treasures can be taken away. We pursue success, forgetting that we are to pursue his kingdom and his righteousness. We seek life’s thrills, ignoring their transitory nature. Why do we invest so much of ourselves in things that do not satisfy? Why do we ignore the God who offers eternal satisfaction for our souls? No one knows why sinful souls make foolish choices.

And there is God, still beckoning, still offering. “I will quench your thirst. I will feed your soul.” Come to me. That is the kind of God we serve. Spurned by his people, he continues to hold out his hand of love. He offers the water of life, the bread of life. He offers not only eternal joy, but meaning and purpose here and now.

It’s time we stopped seeking what will not satisfy, and give ourselves to this God of grace.

Jonathan Merritt is Right! Unfair Attacks from Baptist Bloggers

2009-04-23T14:59:00.000-05:00

It is my opinion that Jonathan Merritt has been the subject of unfair and unwarranted attacks by a few Baptist bloggers. He drew their ire, and subsequently their “friendly fire” because of an article he wrote that was printed in USA Today on April 20, 2009. In that article, he called evangelical Christians to task for their unloving, dismissive and un-Christlike treatment of homosexuals. He was careful to state that he regarded homosexual behavior as sinful and did not support gay marriage. He advocated loving actions to demonstrate to homosexuals the love that we Christians claim to have when we say that we “hate the sin and love the sinner.”

I only read the article after I had read a couple of blogs that had dealt pretty harshly with his article. I was disappointed that the son of a respected SBC leader would write the kind of compromising, unbiblical things that he evidently wrote. Then, I read his article. It is my opinion that what Jonathan Merritt wrote is godly, biblical and true. It is my further assertion that his rebukers (one in particular) have either willfully or negligently misread his statements and have leveled unwarranted and unfair attacks on him. I believe they should honestly and openly reread what Mr. Merritt has written, revise their false statements and apologize to him for misrepresenting what he said.

I do not know Jonathan Merritt and have certainly do not speak for him. I suspect he is well capable of defending himself. However, I have seen the tendency among some bloggers to attack without understanding, to fail to understand doctrinal or ethical subtlety and to level false charges based on their misunderstandings. I believe that such has happened here.

We cannot avoid the subject of homosexuality. We must deal with it biblically – both in our stand for the truth and in our response to those who are tempted by this sin.

One thing I found particularly interesting is that Jonathan Merritt’s view is very similar to Tim Guthrie’s (Welcome to SBC Today) and to Wes Kenney’s (SBC Today) viewpoints. They all expressed essentially the same thing. I share the viewpoints that all three expressed. We believe that homosexual behavior is a sin. We all believe that we must learn to stand for truth clearly and without compromise while demonstrating love to those who struggle with this sin. The only reason that Mr. Guthrie and Mr. Kenney leveled charges against Mr. Merritt is because they misread and misunderstood what he said. They are, essentially, attacking Mr. Merritt for holding the same viewpoint that they have, because they did not read what he wrote carefully, misunderstood, and jump to condemnatory conclusions based on their misunderstandings.

I would like to examine what all three have said. By the time I get this up, perhaps others will have weighed in. But I will deal first of all with what Jonathan Merritt said, then with what Tim and Wes said about his review. Each title will be linked to the original article. I would encourage you to read the originals, to see that I am fairly representing the thought as I make my points.

“An Evangelical’s Plea: Love the Sinner” by Jonathan Merritt

The offending article appeared in the Opinion section of USA Today.com on Monday. Mr. Merritt is described as a faith and culture writer and as a spokesman for the Southern Baptist Environment and Climate Initiative. Tim Guthrie rightly states that it would have been helpful if Mr. Merritt had made it clear that he did not represent or speak for Southern Baptists, an impression that his designation as a spokesman for an organization with the words Southern Baptist in the title could falsely give.

He makes the following major points:

1) That older evangelicals leaders engaged in harsh, even unkind rhetoric toward homosexuals. He asserts that evangelical opposition to the homosexual agenda has been “vitriolic and unbalanced by a message of love for our gay neighbors.”

2) He asserts that the rhetoric and behavior of American Christians is in stark contrast to that of Jesus Christ, who was a “friend of sinners.” He states that many Christians “live in opposition to the teachings of our Lord.” He uses 1 Corinthians 13 as a definition of love and claims that our actions toward homosexuals have often not met that standard.

3) He makes it very clear that he does not and will not compromise biblical truth. He believes that homosexual behavior is sin and that he opposes redefinition of marriage to accommodate homosexual marriage.

4) He does advocate non-discrimination against homosexuals in legal matters not involving marriage. Should secular workplaces be allowed to discriminate against gays and lesbians? Should homosexual partners have visitation and inheritance rights? Merritt would say yes.

His point, I think, is that we have put homosexuality into a special class of sin. We would not discriminate on the basis of heterosexual immorality in these things. Why should we make homosexual orientation a special class?

It is this point (and, I believe, the misunderstanding of his point) that opened the door to many of the attacks against his position.

5) He makes the point that younger Christians, more likely to have homosexual friends than older Christians, also demonstrate a greater tendency to show love to homosexuals.

His concluding paragraph includes these words: “Now is the time for those who bear the name of Jesus Christ to stop merely talking about love and start showing love to our gay and lesbian neighbors. It must be concrete and tangible. It must love beyond cheap rhetoric.”

It is clear that he is challenging evangelicals to a new attitude toward the homosexual community, but that he does not advocate changing our basic beliefs about homosexual behavior being a sin.

“SBC Today” Hate the Spin, by Wes Kenney

Wes Kenney wrote an article professing to hate the “spin” that Mr. Merritt put on the issue, while still loving the “spinner.” I always respect a good play on words, but I am afraid that Wes demonstrates a tendency (also seen in Tim’s articles) to misinterpret what was written and to draw false inferences from that misinterpretation, then to criticize Merritt based on his own misunderstanding of Merritt’s points.

Wes writes a forthright criticism, written in a graceful spirit, with one exception. My biggest problem with him is that I think he fails to understand what was written. He just needs to make an effort to read and understand before he criticizes.

I would point out the following about Wes’ article.

1) Again, he affirms the same view of homosexuality as Jonathan Merritt. His criticisms are directed more against his own misunderstandings than against what Merritt wrote.

2) Wes engages in pejorative in an unacceptable way. He describes Merritt’s writing as “spin.” That implies, deceit, false presentation of facts, designed to lead people away from truth. That is a harsh criticism. He also accuses Merritt of a willingness to “compromise biblical definitions of sin and salvation.” That is serious!

3) He criticizes Merritt for the quotes of evangelical luminaries.

4) He bases his second criticism on a factual error. Merritt quotes a Barna statistic that 80% of Christians are confusing. Kenney adds the words, “on this issue” to the statistic, then criticizes on that basis. This is, to me, indicative of his tendency here to jump to conclusions and not to read carefully. His criticism can only be described as spin, on that basis.

5) He insinuates serious and significant heresy (or doctrinal failure, at least) on Merritt’s part because he advocates non-discrimination against homosexuals in employment and other issues. He calls that normalization and implies that Merritt is helping to make the commission of homosexual sin easier by his viewpoint.

I would ask some questions of Wes Kenney. Do you believe that it will help our mission to homosexuals to maintain laws that would discriminate against homosexuals in matters of employment, housing, visitation rights, etc? Should we apply those same principles to heterosexual immorality?

I believe that anyone who reads Merritt and clearly understands him will read Kenney’s criticism and recognize it as unfair.

Again, I state that if you gave a series of questions about homosexuality to Kenney and Merritt, their answers would be very similar. Their viewpoints are remarkably similar. Kenney misunderstandings led to false inferences and unfair accusations.

“Welcome to SBC Today” Merritt and ACLU on the Same Page, by Tim Guthrie

The graceful spirit of Wes Kenney is largely absent in Tim’s post. He grossly misrepresents Merritt’s position and engages in a common tactic, “guilt by association.” It is not a post worthy of a preacher of Tim’s quality. Tim levels four specific charges against Merritt. Again, I make the following points about the article.

1) The whole “Merritt and the ACLU agree” argument is ridiculous, absurd, even shameful. The ACLU would in no way support Jonathan Merritt’s viewpoint that homosexuality is a sin. This is guilt by association at its worst. It is a shameful smear. Enough said. He also tends to engage in pejorative, labeling Merritt’s views as “dangerous” in terms of biblical understanding and application.

2) The first charge, again, is a complete misunderstanding of Merritt on Guthrie’s part. He criticizes Merritt for something he just does not say. He accuses Merritt of advocating that “Love should cause us to defend the normalization of the homosexual agenda.” Merritt doesn’t say that. Again, all he says is that gays and lesbians should receive basic protections under the law, something I imagine that Guthrie would support if he was willing to understand what Merritt was saying.

3) His second criticism is of Merritt’s view of the law. It is another misunderstanding of what Merritt was saying. I suspect that Merritt would agree with Tim’s point about Jesus fulfilling the law, not negating it.

4) Tim’s third criticism is a blatant misquote and factual misrepresentation (I will assume it is based on misunderstanding, not intentional deceit.) Tim says, “He seems to equate our command to love with a mandate to ‘affirm or endorse.’” He leaves the idea that Merritt advocates the affirmation of the gay agenda. That is simply not true. All you have to do is read the quote that follows to see that Tim got it wrong.

Merritt advocates that we “begin looking for ways to affirm, rather than undermine, our claims to love our gay neighbors.” He is not talking about affirming the gay lifestyle, but letting our actions affirm our claim to love gays.

Tim’s criticism therefore is unfair because his analysis is flawed.

5) His last criticism is of the byline I mentioned above, which might give the idea that Merritt represents the SBC in his opinions. I wish that Merritt’s opinion was universally held in the SBC, but Tim is right that the byline might give a false impression. All of us should be careful to make issues like this clear.

Again, I consider Tim’s use of the ACLU article inaccurate and a shameful smear of a brother in Christ, one that cries out for repentance, not critique.

Conclusion

Again, I think if you had Tim Guthrie, Wes Kenney, Jonathan Merritt and Dave Miller in one room and asked us a series of questions about homosexuality, we would give the same answers in unison.

Is homosexual behavior a sin? Four voices answer yes in unison.
Should the church treat homosexuals with love? Four voices answer yes in unison.
Should Christians be mean, demeaning to homosexuals? Four voices answer no in unison.
Should the church uphold truth even in the face of cultural opposition? Four voices answer yes in unison.
Should gays and lesbians be singled out for discrimination in matters of employment and other basic civil rights? Four voices answer no in unison.
Should we redefine marriage to include two men or two women? Four voices answer no in unison.

Why, then, do we have this debate? Because Wes and Tim failed to read carefully and understand what a brother wrote. They jumped to false conclusions and therefore made false accusations.

NOTE: I just noticed another voice chiming in to criticize Merritt (again, for the nomenclature issue). At some point, aren’t we just piling on?

That’s my read. What say you?

Patterson, Burleson and the CR: Answering a Thoughtful Question

2009-04-15T14:34:00.000-05:00

Ron West asked a long and thoughtful question on my last post. Instead of answering it with a lengthy comment, I will respond with a new post. If you are interested in this, you might begin by reading both my previous post and Ron’s question (comment 11). I am going to answer his questions directly. I invite Ron and others to respond – hopefully in the same spirit Ron has exhibited.

First, Ron, thank you for the opportunity to dialogue. I know that you and I have some completely different perspectives on some of the CR issues, but the way you asked questions and responded to what I wrote deserved a response.

I will be as direct as I can be and brutally honest in answer to your question. I suspect that I will have no friends left among those who read this post.

Perspectives on the CR

As to the CR, it is probable that we will never agree on the facts of the CR. History can almost always be interpreted multiple ways. I look at the fall of the Berlin wall and think, “Ronald Reagan was amazing.” Liberals credit Gorbachev or other factors. It’s the nature of historical debate. I would offer the following perspectives.

1) The main difference between us, I think, is that I believe there was a real theological drift in the 70's, and you do not. Therefore, I believe the CR was necessary. You do not. Would you agree?

I went to a Baptist college and seminary. I saw the leftward drift firsthand. The Hebrew prof at my college said that Jesus, Buddha and Mohammed were just “different flags under which God flies his name.” When my school pushed him out, he went to teach at Midwestern. Belief in the substitutionary death of Christ, the existence of Satan, the supernatural nature of the Bible – all these were not just denied, they were ridiculed. I remember one of my profs leaning over my desk shouting at me, “You mean you actually believe that?” (So much for the vaunted “academic freedom.”) He went on to be a leader in founding of moderate seminaries as the CR progressed. My preaching prof at SWBTS’s doctoral thesis was written against the doctrine of inerrancy.

I lived it. I saw liberalism firsthand. I cannot speak for Paige Patterson, but for me, the CR was about doctrine. I did not want what I learned in my Baptist education to continue to spread.

2) I think that moderates have done a fair amount of historical revisionism looking back at the CR.

The “myth of the mean fundamentalists” is a great example. The rhetoric of the moderates, their political acumen, was no different than the conservatives. The only difference is that there were more of us, so they spent the next 20 years painting themselves as the victims of the conspiracy of the power-hungry mean-spirited fundamentalists. I see that as a myth.

Another myth was that Russell Dilday was a conservative. I went to school during his tenure. He was advocating something called “limited inerrancy.” What on earth is that. The Bible is either errant or inerrant. How can there be any such thing as a limited inerrancy? He was not a classic liberal in the general theological world, but he was hardly a conservative either.

3) The biggest flaw I saw in the CR was the tendency to judge people’s theology on the basis of how they voted in the CR. On this one, you and I agree totally.

I think there were three general groups of people. First, there were conservative Southern Baptists who supported the CR. Second there were liberals and true moderates who were undermining the doctrines we have held dear. One conservative leader estimated that at only 5% or less of the denomination. The third group was made up of biblical conservatives who would not support the CR but sided with the moderates politically.

My quarrel with the CR was that we should have reached out to the Winfred Moores, the Dan Vestals, the Richard Jacksons and made a place for them. They were conservative men who for one reason or another did not join the conservative cause. Many in the CR called their THEOLOGY into question because of their denominational POLITICS. I thought that was wrong (and said so then).

You mentioned Dr. Cauthen and Keith Parks. Dr. Cauthen was pretty much out of the way before the CR. Dr. Parks was in charge during the CR. Without saying too much, my father was heavily involved in the FMB at the end of the Parks era. Dr. Parks’ problems with the board were not so much theological as they were practical. It was a power-struggle.

However, he would be a good example of the kind of man I am talking about. Conservative, but politically-aligned moderate.

On the other hand, it is natural for the leaders of the CR to be a little reluctant to work with men like Dilday and Parks and others who said harsh, belittling things about the CR and engaged in what I consider to be character-assassination of its leaders. Should they have been more gracious when they came to power? Yes. But was it natural for them to want leaders in boards and agencies that were supportive of the cause? Yes.

So, on that point, I think we are in complete agreement, except that I would see the problem as two-sided, not just one-sided.

4) God uses flawed people to do his work. If it were not so, his work would never get done. I do not say that Adrian Rogers was perfect. Or Paige Patterson. In fact, I am sure they had their flaws.

I have a theory about megachurch pastors. You can’t be a successful megachurch pastor without some kind of ego, or self-confidence, or messianic complex or whatever. Those men are driven, self-confident, CEO-types. From what heard and read, so were the moderate men I mentioned above.

Throughout the Bible, God used flawed men to do his work and I think that is what he did with the CR. Our denomination needed theological reformation and God accomplished that using men who were there. Not perfect men. Sinful, flawed men.

But, see #2 above. The idea of the godly, innocent, couldn’t-care-less-about power moderate leaders is a myth, in my understanding. They acted to protect their power and crush the CR.

5) All of us need to learn that in Kingdom work, the means is as important as the end.

I said that often at conventions (never publicly, I was a young, nobody, Virginia pastor). I wish that the CR leaders had checked their tongues and been as careful about their means as they were of their ends.

6) The CR got off track when we won. I think that since 1995 or so, Paige Patterson has had an overall detrimental effect on the SBC. I do not like his campaign to rid the SBC of Dr. Rankin or his promotion of what I consider to be extreme doctrines such as Malcolm Yarnell advocates.

7) I view the GCR being advocated now by Danny Akin and others largely associated with the SEBTS to be the corrective, restoring the noble purposes of the CR. Dr. Patterson and some powerful leaders may have gotten off-track, but the GCR is putting us back where we need to be. Too little, too late? I hope and pray not.

Regarding Wade Burleson

It can hardly be argued, Ron, that Wade has not drifted to the left in terms of convention politics. He was a firebrand political conservative at one point. He now spends every blogging moment he has trashing (well, er...defending us against the evil of) SWBTS, Paige Patterson, and anyone else in power in the SBC.

Has he drifted in terms of theology? I don’t know. I would guess there would have been a day when the author of “The Shack” would not have been given his pulpit. I don’t really know Wade’s theology. Wade has spoken of his own evolution on certain issues. I think there is ample evidence to assert that theological shift has occurred.

Here’s the plain fact, Ron. I don’t care. You are thankful for him and see hope in the SBC because of him. I would, of course, disagree. Wade has made himself meaningless in the SBC debate. Outside of the few people who comment anonymously on his blog, I know of no one who really respects him or takes him seriously. He has made himself popular among the remnants of the moderate movement, in the CBF, and among those who feel disenfranchised by the CR.

For a long time, I supported him. I defended him. I wrote letters to John Floyd and Tom Hatley asking that they reverse their policies and their persecution of Wade. But I came to the point where I could no longer support him. I will not give my reasons on a public blog, but suffice it to say I do not believe he has either noble motives nor means in what he is doing.

I tried debating with him on his site. But the champion of “dissent” does not really foster open debate. He questions the spiritual motives and character of those who disagree with him. His gallery of anonymous hit-bloggers attacks anyone who disagrees with Wade. I honestly tried to engage on his site, but reasonable discussion is impossible on that site, if you disagree with Wade.
So, I just disengaged. I do not comment there and deleted his blog from my Google reader. It is amazing how much more enjoyable blogging is when you just leave “Grace and Truth to You” behind. By the way, I did the same thing with the anti-Wade BI sites. I see no difference between the moral quality of what Wade is doing and what they do. Its all the same blogging mud-slinging to me. And blogging is so much more fun when you just ignore both sides in that nonsense.

Is he conservative? I do not know and really don’t care anymore. I am trying to move into a Wade-free blogging world. I only gave this response because you asked about previous comments I had made.

Honestly, there was a time two years ago when Wade was a key figure. Had he chosen a different course and tactic, I think he could have substantially and positively impacted the SBC. But now, I think he is essentially irrelevant to any discussion of the future of the SBC.

Again, Ron, thank you for your questions and comments. I look forward to an honest dialogue with you. I have been as brutally honest as I could be. I encourage you to do the same. I will enjoy the dialogue.

I would love to meet you. I think you and I would probably agree on far more things than we disagree on.

A Lesson in Pre-judging

2009-04-14T22:29:00.001-05:00

I wish I could embed this, but embedding is disabled on all the clips of this I could find. It is worth your time to watch this, and to remind yourself of what happens when we judge people based on impressions and appearances.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=luRmM1J1sfg

Les Miserables

2009-04-11T14:09:00.001-05:00

This is the banner-winning (state champion) musical theatre from 2008, cuttings from Les Mis.

Les Miserables

2009-04-11T14:09:00.000-05:00

This is the banner-winning (state champion) musical theatre from 2008, cuttings from Les Mis.

Those Canaan Days - Joseph/Technicolor Dream Coat

2009-04-11T14:06:00.001-05:00

Here's another song from that show - another one I really like. Soloist is matt Walker

Those Canaan Days - Joseph/Technicolor Dream Coat

2009-04-11T14:06:00.000-05:00

Here's another song from that show - another one I really like. Soloist is matt Walker

Another Try at YouTube - Show choir

2009-04-11T14:04:00.001-05:00

Show Choir

Another Try at YouTube - Show choir

2009-04-11T14:04:00.000-05:00

Show Choir

SNL Proclaims the Word?

2009-04-11T13:51:00.000-05:00

Worship that Harms

2009-04-02T13:15:00.002-05:00

Sometimes, God’s Word says shocking things. They run counter to what we think and believe. Often, we “interpret” them so as to soften the blow. But that doesn’t change the simple message of God’s Word.

For instance, look at what Paul says to the church in 1 Corinthians 11:17. “Your meetings do more harm than good.” He was talking about church, about their observance of the Lord’s Supper. Church attendance, worship, the Lord’s Supper, was damaging people more than it was helping them. It would be better not to go to church at all than to worship like the Corinthians. Their singing, their giving, their words of praise – it offended God, it did not bless him.

In fact, the problem in Corinth was so serious that Paul said God had sent stern discipline on that church. Some, according to verse 30, had become weak and sickly and some had even died. God brought lives to an end because of the abusive practices going on in the Corinthian church!

Does that shock you? We have conveniently overlooked biblical teachings like that. Our God is awesome and holy, and when we come to worship him, it should never be lightly, or lackadaisically. We must approach him with respect, with awe, with hearts yielded to his Lordship.

It is not my intent to scare you away from church. I believe in church. I do not believe people grow as healthy Christians without the support of a solid local body of believers. We are not spiritual Lone Rangers. We need each other.

But we must take God’s Word seriously. It is clearly possible that we can attend church and offend God in doing so. It is clearly possible to be active and involved in church and face his discipline. The answer is NOT to stop attending church; it is to honor God in all our actions when we attend church – to worship God the right way.

What did the Corinthians do wrong? They were divided. They put themselves ahead of the Body of Christ. They came to worship the Crucified and Risen Lord, to honor Christ’s death – and they treated one another like dirt while they were there. You cannot honor the body and blood of Christ if you dishonor the body of Christ, his church. You cannot fellowship with Christ when you are out of fellowship with Christ’s people.

I do not know how serious it was in Corinth, or how bad things have to get before God steps in with his hand of discipline. I just know that God takes it seriously when we cause or contribute to strife and division in the church.

Verse 28 is the key. “A man should examine himself before…” Before you observe the Lord’s Supper, before you arrive at church, before you enter worship, you need to examine yourself. YOURSELF. We are so quick to examine everyone else. “Mrs. McGillicutty gossips too much.” “Buford is so unkind.” We love to examine the splinters in other’s eyes. That’s not what God tells us to do. He says, “Examine yourself.”

Do you forgive those who injure you? Do you refuse to participate in gossip – on the giving or receiving end? Do you give honor and respect to one another? Are you angry and bitter against anyone in the body? Do you attempt to make broken relationships right?

Why does God get so upset about division in the church? Imagine if I spray painted graffiti on a crumbling old building. Now imagine if I spray painted the Mona Lisa. It would be a greater tragedy because of the beauty and value of what I marred.

There is nothing more beautiful or valuable than the body of Christ united, worshiping God in Spirit and in truth. It is so serious to spread division in the body of Christ because if you do, you deface a masterpiece painted in the blood of Christ.

That’s not something any of us wants to do.

New Leaders for a Resurgent SBC

2009-04-02T12:39:00.000-05:00

I got involved in blogging several years ago because I was concerned about what was happening with some of our SBC leaders. I am a big fan of Jerry Rankin and I did not like what I perceived to be an orchestrated move to push him out with the new (and silly) policies that were adopted there. There was a momentum for change among some of the young pastors and leaders in the convention. I do not qualify as young but I supported the need for reform in the SBC and the need to oppose the wrong direction many were forging - what has come to be known as Baptist Identity. There are noble proponents of that philosophy (as well as some stinkers) but I am convinced their direction is wrong for our convention.

The problem is that the "reform" movement didn't really have a noble leader. When it was time for the Conservative Resurgence, God raised up Adrian Rogers to lead us. He was neither perfect nor divine, but he was a statesman, a leader who seemed to have more than building a name for himself at heart, a leader who inspired others to follow, a leader who remained relentlessly gracious in the face of opposition. The reform movement had no such leader. It fractured and dwindled.

The biggest problem with the reform movement was that some of its leaders quickly subverted the conservative resurgence. I (and I think many others) wanted to reform the conservative SBC. However, many of the reform leaders have rejected the CR and denigrated its purposes and effects.

I will always be thankful for the leadership of Dr. Patterson in the CR. I think his leadership at SWBTS has been questionable at best. I think there are a lot of us who have this nuanced view - that we appreciate the CR but are suspect of the extremist views of some BI proponents. We want a conservative, but not rigid, legalistic, landmark or extremist denomination.

The reform movement floundered because there was no inspirational, motivational leader to rally us.

But, in recent months, there has been a new awakening. I read Alvin Reid's article "Tipping Point" on Between the Times. I can only hope and pray that the vision he articulates will win the day in the SBC. It seems that Southeastern Seminary is being raised up as a place for those of us who do not want to reject the CR but also do not want to buy into the BI movement. Instead of railing against each other about Calvinist/non-Calvinist idealogy, they did something unique. Nathan Finn and Alvin Reid wrote a series of articles on how a committed Calvinist and a committed non-Calvinist could co-exist. Southeastern is living that. They do not have a hard-core Calvinist Abstract, nor the militant anti-Calvinism that Dr. Patterson sometimes seems to exhibit. They are living together, modeling how it can be done.

Dr. Akin has spearheaded the "Great Commission Resurgence" movement which is providing some direction for our denomination as it faces the future.

My hope is that this movement to reform the SBC along committed conservative lines will continue to gather steam. They are committed to building up the SBC, not tearing it down as some blogs seem committed to doing. They are committed to focusing on reaching the lost, not on replicating one view of Baptist Identity.

I wish I was younger and could attend SEBTS. What a blessing that would be. I am so encouraged that God is raising up men such as these I have mentioned, and several others, who may be putting the SBC back on track to being the noble Great Commission denomination that it can be.

I am more hopeful about the future of the SBC than I have been in a long time.

I HATE My Oldest Son!!!

2009-04-01T15:29:00.001-05:00

He got great offers from Yale and MIT, and decided to accept the MIT offer. So, he will spend the next 6 or so years of his life in Boston. He is not a sports fan at all, so it might be okay to be in the home of the world's greatest two evils - Red Sox and Patriots.

But today, he sent out an email telling me that MIT had informed him that because of the economic downturn, he was going to have to pay his own tuition ($90,000). He was going to try to talk to Yale and see if they would let him come there after all.

I was horrified at MIT for doing this to him. I thought it was really rotten that they offered him a tuition scholarship plus stipend then after he accepted, they changed their minds.

Then, someone else who got the email reminded me of the date. April Fool! I used to play pranks on other people, not get fooled by them. Doggone bratty kid.

So, Matt got me; hook, line and sinker. And I hate him for it!

I HATE My Oldest Son!!!

2009-04-01T15:29:00.000-05:00

I was horrified at MIT for doing this to him. I thought it was really rotten that they offered him a tuition scholarship plus stipend then after he accepted, they changed their minds.

Then, someone else who got the email reminded me of the date. April Fool! I used to play pranks on other people, not get fooled by them. Doggone bratty kid.

So, Matt got me; hook, line and sinker. And I hate him for it!

Conflicted about My Kids

2009-03-19T13:36:00.001-05:00

I am in a real quandary here, folks, and I need some help. It involves a couple of my children.

First, my oldest son, Matt, has just gotten an offer letter from MIT. They are giving him a full ride scholarship and a generous stipend to go to MIT and be a masters/doctoral student for the next few years and to be a research assistant.

That is all well and good, of course, but I have a real issue with this. It's the M in MIT. It stands for Massachusetts and is in the Boston area. Boston, as you may well know, is the source of all evil in the world - home of the Boston Red Sox.

Can I support my son as he moves to Babylon, to the seat of world evil? It is a tough choice.

Now, my youngest son, Ben, also presents me with a difficult choice. When he came to me as a freshman and said, "I'm quitting basketball next year to concentrate on Show Choir" - I gave him his freedom - ignoring the knife in my back. It worked out pretty well, getting him a full-ride music scholarship.

But next week, he is performing at Morningside College in a night of OPERA. Yes, folks, I said OPERA!

Here's the question: am I expected, as a father, to attend a night of opera music to support my son. I sat through hours and hours of show choir. Haven't I done enough?

Someone, please, give me some good advice.

Conflicted about My Kids

2009-03-19T13:36:00.000-05:00

Some YouTubes of Ben

2009-03-19T12:18:00.001-05:00

Here are some videos of Ben performing. I wish I knew how to put these things in here, but these are links to YouTube videos

His solo in "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zg8cLA7ASQs&feature=channel_page

His performance in "Les Mis" which won the banner (state championship) in musical theatre - this is a practice performance, but its the only one I've got. He's in the gray pants and black shirt - the narrator at the beginning and first soloist.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vju7rHAvukQ

Soloist on this one is Matt Walker, but Ben is mugging and dancing. I just loved the dance sequences, so it goes up here.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qr25bXLZUX0&feature=channel_page

Here, he's Corny Collins in "Nicest Kids in Town" in East High Headliners, his show choir.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HL-dN1fLo7c&feature=channel

Some YouTubes of Ben

2009-03-19T12:18:00.000-05:00

Pillars in the Temple

2009-03-19T12:00:00.003-05:00

Solomon’s temple was one of the great structures of the Ancient Near East, a magnificent edifice erected for the worship of the Living God. The early chapters of 2 Chronicles record way more information than we might desire: details about pomegranates and cubits and cherubim.

Then 2 Chronicles 3:17 says that Solomon erected two pillars in the front of the temple; one on the south end, one on the north end. He named the pillars “Jakin” and “Boaz.” Why would Solomon name the pillars? The meaning of the names gives us a hint.

Jakin means “he will establish.” Boaz is less clear, but is thought to mean, “in him is strength.” Solomon knew what we must learn. It is God who establishes our lives and our work, and it is he who gives us the strength to accomplish his work. Solomon built the temple, but he was sure to acknowledge who established it, and who gave the strength.

Twenty-one years ago, I entered an amazing new era in my life. My wife gave birth to the first of our four kids. Nine years later I drove into Cedar Rapids with a big job at a small church. Both are stressful and terrifying jobs. In the process I have often forgotten Solomon’s lesson. I sometimes think it all depends on me.

Then, God will gently remind me that Jakin and Boaz are the pillars of my family and my church, even my own Christian life. I am not in this alone. God himself will establish me, and I can depend on his strength as I do his will. It does not all depend on me.

Nearly forty years ago, God drew me into his kingdom. I was just a 6-year-old kid. What did I know about the Christian life? But I was in good hands. The God who saved me by his grace would establish my life in his ways. Saving me, sanctifying me, setting my feet on solid rock – it was his work, not mine. He is my Jakin. He is my Boaz, strengthening me along the way.

Sometimes I forget that. I start to think that I have to be in control, that I have to “make it happen.” If I don’t do it, it won’t get done. But when I feel this way, I am taking the role of God. I am trying to be my own Jakin, my own Boaz. What folly.

Dear friend, do you feel like it all depends on you? Do you feel like the man who kept 12 plates spinning on top of little poles? If he stopped spinning the plates, they would come crashing down. You are stressed out, fearful, overwhelmed, weighed down by life’s cares.

They are not your plates and it is not your job to keep them spinning. God has it all in control and doesn’t need your help. He desires your worship, your love, your devotion, your obedience. But he can keep the world spinning without your assistance.
He is your Jakin, who will establish your life, your family, your church, your ministry, by his might, his wisdom, his power. He will be your Boaz, strengthening you to do all he has called you to do.

God is in control, not you or me. Aren’t you glad?

The Blogging Gulag: Addition by Subtraction

2009-03-18T23:36:00.000-05:00

I used to spend most of my blogging time on about 4 or 5 blog sites. I got into blogging because of the IMB controversy, and most of the sites I visited dealt with those SBC issues. I am passionate about the issues, but I would get so disgusted at the level of conversation and frustrated at the lack of real conversation. I wrongly assumed this was the sum total of Baptist blogging.

It has been an eye-opening experience and a blessing to find that those strife-producing, name-calling, anger-inducing sites are not all there is out there. There are real sites where people deal with real topics; where there is intelligent discussion of difficult issues with grace and kindness.

Of course, I think SBC Impact is the best of those sites. I'm probably a little prejudiced. But there are several others. SBC Voices not only has some great articles, it has the links to so many good blogs (and the stinkers as well). Bart Barber always makes me think, and only rarely makes me mad. Timmy Brister is also thought-provoking and there have been some really good comment exchanges there. Ed Stetzer has loads of stuff for me to learn and everyone ought to read "Between the Times" - even if they make me crazy by not allowing comments. There is a whole world of good blogs I didn't know existed. (I know, its my stupidity, but lets ignore that).

So, I have created my own blogging gulag. I have banished the petty arguers to Gulag Millerpeligo. I just stopped going there. I deleted them from my feed. And now, my blood pressure has dropped 20 points and I no longer see red as often. It is a liberating experience.

I don't have to read every wild accusation lodged against Dr. Patterson or those with traditional views of gender roles. I don't have to read the insulters who respond to the insults of Dr. P by insulting the original insulter. I am surviving without my daily dose of anti-SBC vitriol. Neither do I have to live in a Mad, Mad, Mad world or watch anyone Splat! Splat! anyone else. All I had to do was walk away.

Here's the thing I realized. These sites accomplish nothing. They insult each other and others. they harp and rail - and NOTHING changes.

I'm so glad there are better blogs. It has been a blessing to find them.

I wonder why I didn't figure this out sooner? After all, my IQ is well above 80.

There Is a Way That Seems Right

2009-03-13T12:11:00.002-05:00

Years ago, we were headed from Disney World to my parent’s home in Kissimmee. We came to a major turn, and I did not know where to go. So, I asked my dad. “Which way?” He told me, “Dave, everything in me tells me that you should probably turn right, so if I were you, I would turn left.”

I did. I turned left. Within a few minutes, we were home, safe and sound. Dad was right. His instincts were wrong. He has no sense of direction. He once stopped for coffee and got back on the highway and drove 100 miles before he realized he was headed in the wrong direction. We got home that night because my dad realized it; he recognized that he was directionally-impaired. Had we relied on his instincts, we would have been lost.

We are constantly bombarded with the message of self-reliance today. “You just need to follow your own instincts. Listen to the truth inside of you. It can’t be wrong if it feels right to you.”

But Solomon said, “There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end, it leads to death.” Let that sink in. There is a road that leads to death and destruction. It is the wrong road. Yet, to the human heart, it seems right. It feels right, but it is wrong.

Dad was wise; he knew his instincts were wrong. Too many people trust their own instincts, their feelings, their reason and logic. It feels right, but it leads us wrong. Sinful hearts and minds cannot be trusted to lead us the right way.

Solomon gave us a solemn promise in Proverbs 3:5-6. He said that if we did three things, God would direct our paths, or “make our paths straight”. In other words, we can live confidently, knowing that we are on the right road, knowing that we are making the right turns in life.

What do we have to do? We have to “trust in the Lord with all your heart.” We must place our trust fully in God. We place our lives in his hands, believing that God’s way is better than our way, that God’s Word is more reliable than our own wisdom, that his will is best for our lives.

Then comes the hard part. “Do not lean on your own understanding.” If I want God to lead me every step of my life, I cannot trust my own wisdom. Every great truth of scripture is counter-intuitive. That means it goes against our normal human way of thinking. It is not normal to love your enemy. It is not normal to rejoice in suffering. It is not normal to have peace while the storms of life rage. It is not normal, it is supernatural. God’s ways are higher than ours, and his thoughts are higher than ours. Like my dad, we refuse to trust our instincts, our emotions, our reason or even our own common sense. Instead, we seek the truth of God’s word.

Finally, we must acknowledge God in all our ways. We must submit every word, every thought, every action before God. To acknowledge God is to submit to him, to let him have authority over everything we do.

God does not want to be a passenger in your life. He wants the steering wheel. But when I slide over, and release the wheel to him, he guides me through life’s ways in joy and peace. I experience his love and blessing every day.

There is a way that seems right. And there is a right way.

Only Sinners Get a Savior!

2009-03-05T12:47:00.002-06:00

Little Connie sat in my office, wanting to “ask Jesus into her heart.” I explained the entire story to her: God’s holiness, our sin, Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross, and her need to trust Jesus as Savior and Lord. Then, I questioned her to see if she understood. “Connie, have you ever sinned?” “No.” I was a little shocked. I tried to explain sin to her again, thinking she must not be understanding me clearly. She stuck to her story. Little Connie wanted a Savior, but did not want to admit she needed one. She was blinded to her own sin.

Connie and I faced the amazing paradox of Christianity. Joy comes in the morning. We can only see the morning joys of salvation after the dark night of repentance. To be forgiven of sin, one must come face to face with the dark depravity of the soul.

And no one wants that. We like to rationalize our sinful attitudes and actions, justify them in the light of the actions of others or our circumstances, and enlist others to support us in our ungodliness. The last thing we ever want to do is turn on the light and see the filth.

That is a work of the Spirit in our hearts. He shines the light and makes us see ourselves for what we are. When Isaiah saw himself he cried, “Woe is me, I am undone.” It is never pleasant to see our human hearts as they really are. Not much fun.

In Psalm 130, the Psalmist says, “If you, O Lord, kept a record of sins, O Lord, who could stand?” He cried to God “out of the depths” of sin. He did not boast before God, he cried out for mercy. Each of us must come to that point of spiritual bankruptcy before we can experience the riches of God’s grace.

But here is the paradox: when I see my sin for all it is, when I am dismayed at my own wickedness, without excuse or justification, I receive the most amazing gift any human can receive – complete, wonderful, full, amazing forgiveness.

The Psalmist admitted that no one could stand before God’s record of sins, but then he realizes, “with you there is forgiveness.” In verse 7 he states that with God there is “unfailing love” and “full redemption.” When I took my sin to the Cross of Christ and laid it before him, I received grace. GRACE. God does not treat me on the basis of my sin. He relates to me “in Christ.”

It is hard to accept that. Human relationships are conditional, often temporary. It is hard to understand the awesome forgiveness of God. I still sin. I still fail my Savior, and I do it every day. But, GRACE! Amazing Grace! God’s forgiveness is more powerful than my own sin. He convicts me, restores me, renews me, and establishes me in his righteousness. Like the Psalmist, I have not only been redeemed, I have experienced “full redemption.”

Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me. I once was lost, but now am found, was blind, but now I see.

Don’t be afraid to face yourself and your sin. In Christ, there is forgiveness and full redemption. That is why they call it Amazing Grace. .

Without Hindrance: Acts 28:31

2009-02-28T17:51:00.002-06:00

Volumes have been written about the ending of the book of Acts. Acts tells the story of the spread of the gospel in the early days of the church, in Jerusalem, Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. The book ends with Paul sitting under house arrest in Rome, awaiting trial on charges of treason. Luke tells us that Paul preached the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ “boldly and without hindrance.”

“Without hindrance” is one word in the original Greek language (akolutos), an adverb. It is the very last word in the Greek text of Acts. Paul preached with great boldness, “unhinderedly”. And the book stops. It is such a strange ending that some scholars have theorized that the last page or two of Acts may actually be missing, or that Luke was not able to finish the book for some reason.

It is also a strange ending when you think about Paul’s life situation. He had nothing but hindrances in his attempts to preach the gospel of Jesus. We read in 2 Corinthians 11 of Paul’s arrests, persecutions, opponents and hardships. His ministry was one gigantic hardship after another. Satan seems to have even taken a personal interest in hindering the work of Paul. At the end of Acts, Paul in Roman custody – clearly a hindrance to gospel work. Yet, Luke says, he preached without hindrance.

There is, I believe, another reason why Luke claimed that Paul preached without hindrance. Yes, Paul faced many unbelievable obstacles to his ministry, but he never let obstacles hinder the work of God. Noah faced obstacles when he obeyed God’s command to build an ark, but he was not hindered from obedience. Moses was called by God and immediately had to face the king of the most powerful nation on earth and his mighty army. David was anointed king, but Saul stood in his way, as did Goliath. Each man faced great obstacles, but was unhindered in accomplishing the work of God.

Hardships are normal in God’s work, and they are usually bigger than we are able to overcome by ourselves. Too often we assume that obstacles are God’s way of closing a door, as if God would never call us to do anything hard. Obstacles do not tell you that God is not in your work. They are not an indication that God wants you to give up. They are the hurdles over which God empowers you to leap as he accomplishes his work through you.

I have known many Christians, even Christian leaders, who assume that God’s work is supposed to be easy and enjoyable. When things do not go exactly as they imagined, or when times get hard, they give up and move on. Every time I face an obstacle, I want to quit.

But when we are doing God’s work and depending on God’s powers, even the biggest obstacles fail to prevent the powerful work of God. He will strengthen us to endure, to overcome, to grow.

Even big obstacles cannot hinder the work of an Almighty God. Let us do the work of Jesus boldly, knowing that no force on earth can stop him.

Thorns on a Rose: An Analysis of Dr. Yarnell’s Sermon

2009-02-27T10:55:00.000-06:00

On SBC Tomorrow, Peter Lumpkins wrote a strong rebuke to Tom Ascol’s review of Dr. Malcolm Yarnell’s sermons at SWBTS on October 31, 2008. Peter had sharp criticism for the Founders’ position that the viewpoint presented by Dr. Yarnell was “dangerous to biblical Christianity.”

There is no doubt that this was a strong criticism. To say, “I disagree” is one thing. To challenge a view as “dangerous to biblical Christianity” is a weighty accusation. Tom Ascol thinks that it is a justified rebuke. Peter does not.

As I read the quotes, I was a little bit concerned. The things that Dr. Yarnell said in the quotes bothered me, but I know that a quote pulled from a 41 minute sermon may not represent that sermon accurately at all. So, I decided to listen to the sermon and make sure what Dr. Yarnell actually said.

The title above is a summary of what I think about this sermon. It is an amazing exposition of the Lordship of Christ, one which every Christian would do well to hear and heed. However, there are a couple of quotes, one at the beginning and one near the end that present, to me, some thorny problems.

The Rose

The sermon is 41 minutes long and is an exposition of Matthew 7:21-23. In that passage, people at the judgment claim to have served the Lord but are cast away because, “I never knew you.”

Dr. Yarnell draws three points, essentials of Christianity. It is essential to confess the Lordship of Jesus Christ. This section is fantastic. He explains the simple statement “Jesus Lord” – the confession of early Christianity. Jesus is the human Lord, the divine Lord, the universal Lord and the unique Lord.

He then goes on to talk about the essential of doing the will of God. Those of the reformed persuasion might not like everything in here, but all will agree with the essentials of what he says. He says that confession must lead to obedience. “Creeds without deeds” he says are empty and pointless. He tends to present the reformers (and those who follow them today) as more interested in confession than obedience, and presents the free, congregational churches as the more obedient. That will, of course, not please the Founders. But, the truth is clear. True faith in Christ will produce a walk of obedience to the will of God revealed in the Word of God.

He then, briefly deals with the third essential. Confessing and doing are not enough. We must be “known” by God. It is a personal relationship, not just doctrine or duty that is required.

I do not think anyone could be anything but blessed by the truths he presents here. Obviously, Calvinists will quarrel with his depiction of the reformers as confessors only and the Baptists as confessors and doers. But the point he made there still stands.

The Thorns

There were two quotes that cause me some difficulty in this powerful sermon. The first took place about 3:38 into the message. I have a minor disagreement with some things he said in that quote. The second was in the conclusion to the sermon, starting at about 34:11. This one contains the statement that Tom Ascol found dangerous. It is deeply troubling to me as well.

I will give each section completely. I listened a couple of times through after I transcribed the quotes and I think they are pretty accurate. I edited nothing out (at least not on purpose). I will present each quote and my concerns about it.

First Quote (3:38)

Dr. Yarnell said, “Baptizing, free churches are unique in that their understanding of reformation chooses as the ideal as the form, not something out of post-biblical history, but the New Testament itself. As a New Testament Christian, I reject all but the ideal form of the church commanded by Jesus Christ in the NT revelation. Why? Because the Lordship of Jesus Christ is the essential basis of Christianity. Some of these other reformations bring us to perhaps penultimate forms of Christianity, but only the New Testament, the very Word of God brings us to the ultimate form of Christianity. In comparison to the goal of the baptizing free churches the other reformations are inevitably bound for failure for they have adopted the wrong form of the church”

In the introduction, he makes the point that Reformers have tended to use the church of the 16th Century, or the Synod of Dort, or the Puritans as the gold standard for the church. He distinguishes the “baptizing free churches” as the only ones who appeal to the New Testament as the standard for the church. He later makes this statement, “New Testament congregationalism (which) is the only biblical form of Church governance.

I am Baptist by conviction, but I guess I have not come to the place of being quite as convinced that we are the only representation of the New Testament church or that congregationalism is the only acceptable form of church government as he has.

His confidence may reflect that he understands the Bible and theology better than I do (something on which there is probably little doubt) or that he is (in my opinion) making a universal pronouncement on an issue in which the biblical evidence does not support such dogmatism.

But, this section forms the basis of the second, more controversial statement that he will make. He is so utterly convinced that “free, baptizing congregationalism” is the only biblical form of government, and that baptism by immersion is essential to Christian living that anyone who disagrees with these is not walking in obedience to Christ. Since his sermon is about Christ’s Lordship, such disobedience cannot be overlooked. How can one walk in obedience to Christ and reject this crystal clear vision of the church?

Second Quote (34:11)

This is the one that has fanned the flames.

“Christ commanded believers to be baptized after they become disciples. Those who change the Lord’s order disobey him. They work against his will. The one who knowingly works against his will will be judged by him. In other words, baptism, true Christian baptism, not the invention of baby baptism, baptism is for believers to obey. That’s why he included it in the Great Commission. You can’t separate the making of a disciple from proper baptism. If confessing Jesus as Lord, is essential, if knowing Jesus is Lord is essential, if doing the will of the Lord is essential, then NT obedience to Jesus Christ as he reveals himself here – that’s essential too.

You cannot perform theological triage on the Lordship of Jesus Christ without severing his will into pieces and picking and choosing what you want to do. You will find out what he says and you will do it all because you know your life is totally dependent on him. NT Christianity has no secondary doctrines when it comes to the Lordship of Jesus Christ. That’s why I say baptism is not secondary nor is it tertiary, it is essential.

Now, does that mean that baptism saves you? NO. But if you are saved, you will obey and you will be baptized according to Christian baptism, not according to something of your own invention.”

The key statement is question here is in the last paragraph. “But if you are saved, you will obey and you will be baptized according to Christian baptism (Baptist).” Dr. Ascol read this as a statement questioning the salvation of those who have not received Baptist baptism, and called the statement dangerous on that basis.

My opinion will probably please no one. I cannot imagine that Dr. Yarnell really questions the salvation of those who have not received Baptist baptism. However, his statement certainly does lead one to believe that.

We can all, in a sermon, say something that will be misread and misinterpreted. I hope that is what is happening here. Does he really believe what is seems this statement implies? I hope not.

He anticipates one question: does baptism save? He answers that forcefully. But he does not answer the more pressing question. “Are you saying that there is something fundamentally flawed in the salvation of someone who does not receive Baptist baptism?” (By the way, I am using Baptist baptism to refer to baptism of believers by immersion, not to mean baptism in a certain denominational church – just to clarify.)

He says, “If you are saved, you will…” Not should, or ought to, but will! This clearly implies that if you do not do what is expected – Baptist baptism – then you have not been saved.

I think that is a fair interpretation of Yarnell’s statement. Is it what he intended? I have to believe it is not. Is it a logical inference from his words? I think it is.

So, to the Founders’ criticism of Dr. Yarnell, I would say two things. First, they are right. The concept that is presented by Dr. Yarnell’s words would be dangerous to biblical Christianity. However, I think that it is also clear that he did not intend to say that those who are not biblically baptized are not saved.

I could only hope that Dr. Yarnell would clarify his meaning. Then, we could know whether Ascol’s criticism is valid.

Conclusion

The ultimate point of the Founders’ article is beyond assail, though, in my opinion. There can be little doubt that Dr. Yarnell’s approach is vastly different than Dr. Mohler’s theological triage idea. There are, in fact, two visions competing for the attention of Southern Baptists.

Dr. Mohler classifies doctrine germaine to salvation as primary, that which is essential to the denomination as secondary, and other doctrines as tertiary. Dr. Yarnell rejects this and claims that all doctrine related to ecclesiology and polity is a manifestation of the Lordship of Christ, therefore primary.

I have picked my side in this conflict long ago. But, while I disagree with Dr. Yarnell’s vision, I do not think he meant to say that unbaptized people are not really believers. I could wish that he would clarify the statement, but I do not know if that will happen.

I encourage everyone to listen to the sermon. Overall, it is a beautiful rose, though I would warn you of a couple of thorns on the stem.

Where the Feather Blows

2009-02-22T22:20:00.002-06:00

In medieval days, the story goes, a man went to his priest to confess sin and seek absolution. He confessed the sin of gossip, of spreading a rumor, of slandering another man. He wanted to atone for his sin. The priest told him to take feathers and place them by the doors of every person he had shared the gossip with and then return. The man completed his assignment, spreading the feathers wherever he had spread the rumor. He returned to the priest. The priest gave him another job. “Go and pick up every feather you placed.” The man shook his head. “The feathers have scattered throughout the town. I could never find them all.” The priest nodded his head. “It is the same way with gossip.”

We view sin differently than God does. We see big sins and little sins. Big sins – adultery, murder, homosexuality, theft – are the ones we generally do no commit. Little sins – gossip, complaining, little white lies – these are the ones we all commit, so they must not be such a big deal, right? God does not see it that way.

James says that the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity, set on fire by hell. It is a small body part, but does great evil. Christian maturity is the ability to control the tongue. Proverbs reveals to us the devastating effects of little sins like gossip. Proverbs 17:9 says, “He who covers over an offense promotes love, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends.”

American culture honors the person who tells everyone just exactly what he thinks. You have to vent your feelings, not suppress them. God’s Word begs to differ. The person who overlooks an offense, who forgives the offender, promotes love and harmony. The one who repeats the matter, who spreads the feathers, causes division and disunity.

If Christians had Spirit-empowered control of our tongues, there would be no division in the church. Think of every church conflict you have ever seen. When you dig through the rubble and devastation, you will find the same explosive material at ground zero. Gossip. Someone did not control their tongue. Someone got on the phone and “shared” their disapproval, probably in the form of a prayer request. Someone exercised their right to air their opinion about things.

And these dear but dangerous saints had no idea that their loose lips would sink the ship of unity in the body of Christ. “Without gossip the fire goes out,” promised Solomon.

If only we could apply one simple rule. I will not talk about someone to another until I have first talked to God, then to that person. If you are offended, upset, angry or injured, talk to God about it, not other people. He is the one who can heal the wound. If you need to, talk to the other person directly in attempt to bring healing and unity.

Until you have talked to God, and to the person you are upset with, you have no right to talk about that person to anyone else. When you do, you fuel the fires of division in God’s church, helping Satan in his efforts to destroy God’s church.

I know you don’t want to do that.

I Waited Patiently...

2009-02-10T22:40:00.002-06:00

I am not a patient man. The microwave heats food too slowly. Stop lights seem to last minutes. I hate to stand in line.

So, you can imagine what it feels like when I read scripture verses like Psalm 40:1. “I waited patiently for the LORD; he turned to me and heard my cry.” David called out to God, then waited patiently for the Lord to hear his cry and deliver him. He waited. Patiently.

David was in trouble when he wrote this Psalm. He doesn’t tell us what the trouble was, but he describes it as being in a “slimy pit” filled with mud and mire. It was not good. You have probably been there. It may have been after you lost a loved one, or when you struggled with long term illness, or when your marriage is going sour, or your job is providing you an ulcer in addition to a paycheck. Whatever the stresses and trials of life, sometimes you feel like you are at the bottom of David’s slimy pit, knee deep in the mud.

When life is a slimy pit, we want a change. A new job. A new church. A new spouse. We want to escape from life, to get out of the pit. The temptation is to take action based on our emotions, our wisdom, our reason. We strike back at those who hurt us. We run away from our circumstances. We become angry and bitter.

Not King David. He tried something unique; counterintuitive to human nature. He called out to God and waited for God to act. He waited patiently. How long did he wait? Who knows? Noah waited 100 years after God promised a flood for the rains to start. Abraham waited 25 years for the promised child. Noah waited until he was 80 to begin the work he was destined for. Faith is waiting patiently for God to do what he said he would do.

Recently, I was in a slimy pit. Oh, maybe a small pit, with minor sliminess, but it was no fun. I wanted to run away. I wanted to lash out. But, for one of the unfortunately few times in my life, I called out to God. He heard me. He acted in his own time, and lifted me out of the pit. It took way longer than I thought it should, but God was faithful. At least I did not have to wait 25 years.

Look at what God does when we call out to him for help. He lifts us up, sets our feet on solid rock, and gives us a song of joy in our hearts. That’s his job. Your job is to call out to him in your distress and to wait patiently for his answer.

There is no question as to whether God will do his work. He will respond to the needs of his children, set us on a solid foundation and put his joy in our hearts. He will be faithful. The only question is whether you and I will call out to him, and wait patiently for his work.

Wait patiently, don’t get angry. Wait patiently, don’t lash out. Wait patiently, don’t despair. Wait patiently, don’t devise a fleshly scheme. Wait patiently on the Lord. He’s listening!